Qass_T> X 

Book . Q^fe ^ 



THE LIFE 

OF THE 

REV. FREEBORN GARRETTSON 

COMPILED FROM 

HIS PRINTED AND MANUSCRIPT 
JOURNALS, 
AND OTHER AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS. 



BY NATHAN BANGS, D. D. 



" And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; 
and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever," 
Daniel xii, 3 * 



FOURTH EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED. 



NEW-YORK : 

PUBLISHED BY T. MASON AND G. LANE, 

FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AT THE CONFERENCE OFFICE, 
200 MULBERRY-STREET. 



/. Collord, Printer. 
1838. 



" Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1832, by 
J. Emory and B. Waugh, in the Clerk's Office of the District 
Court of the Southern District of New- York." 



i 

\ 

if 



DEDICATION. 



TO MRS. CATHARINE GARRETTSON. 

Madam, — To whom can I so appropriately dedicate this 
account of one endeared to you by so many ties, as to 
yourself, who for so long a time knew and appreciated his 
worth, enjoyed his society, and now so sincerely mourn 
your loss ? May that benignant Being who so mercifully 
supported and directed your late excellent and venerable 
husband through a long life, and finally gave him such a 
complete victory over death, spread around you the wing 
of his mercy, and safely conduct you to " glory and im- 
mortality." 

With Christian affection, 

I am your humble servant, 

Nathan Bangs, 

New-Y&rk, August 1, 1829. 



ADVERTISEMENT TO THE THIRD EDITION. 



The chief improvements introduced into this third edition 
of Mr. Garrettson's Life consist in some verbal corrections, 
in rectifying the orthography of a few proper names, sup- 
plying, so far as they could be ascertained, the full names 
of persons where the initials only had been employed, and 
also by inserting the dates at the head of the pages, which 
in former editions were found only in the body of the work. 

The rapid sale of this work,— the third edition being 
called for in less than two years from the publication of the 
first, — encourages the biographer to hope that it has been of 
use to its readers, which is the only compensation he re- 
ceives or seeks either for compiling or revising the work, 
as whatever profits may have been realized, or may here- 
after be realized from the sale, belong to the General Book 
Concern of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

New-York, March 10, 1832. 



FOURTH EDITION. 

A fourth edition of this work being called for, several 
emendations have been made, and typographical errors 
corrected. 



CONTENTS 

TO THE 

LIFE OF THE REV. Fj GARRETTSON. 



Preface * Page 9 

Introduction - 13 

CHAPTER L 

His ancestors — Childhood — Education — First Methodist preachers— 
His brother John— Illness — Death of his father — False security— His 
awakening and conversion, 25 

CHAPTER It 



His happiness in God — Endures severe temptations — Frees his slaves- 
Reflections on slavery — Attends a class meeting— Declares what God had 
done for him— First speaks in public — Suffers persecution — Holds even- 
ing meetings, and God blesses his labours — Conversation with the parish 
priest — Sirong exercises respecting becoming a travelling preacher — Makes 
the trial — Then tempted to desist — Makes trial of his gift again, - 37 

CHAPTER EI. 

Commences a regular travelling preacher — Severely exercised — Much 
assisted — Holds a watch night — Goes to Fairfax circuit — Preaches in the 
parish church — Great manifestation of the power of God — Attacked by a 
Presbyterian minister on the doctrine of perfection — Farewell sermon — ■ 
Lodges with a Quaker — Attends conference, ... 50 

CHAPTER IV. 

Deer Creek conference^ Goes to Brunswick circuit, Virginia — Happy 
seasons in preaching on the way — Arrives on his circuit, and finds a lively 
people — An officer interrogates him on the subject of fighting — Confidence 
in God increased — Great consolation in preaching — Tempting offers, whic h 
he resists — Whites and blacks much affected — Refuses the state oath — 
Escapes a threatened imprisonment — Goes to North Carolina — Reflections 
on Christian perfection — Experiences perfect love, and preaches this doc- 
trine — Narrowly escapes being shot, 55 

CHAPTER V. 

From the conference in Leesburg, goes to the Peninsula, Md — Persecu- 
tion against the Methodists — Its causes — Perseveres in his work — Beaten 
and bruised — Blessed effects of this opposition in his own soul — Preaches 
the word with great effect — Enters the state of Delaware, and preaches the 
word with great success — Goes to Kent Island — Death of his brother John 
—Remarkable instance of conversion — Meets with opposition at Dover, but 
succeeds in preaching — Rescues a man who was attempting to hang him- 
self — Conversion of an old persecutor — Not an enthusiast — Sinners flock 
to Christ— Delivered from the hand of the civil officer 1 - Preaches and forms 
a society in Quantico — Vindicates infant baptism — Opposition meetings 
unsuccessful — Good effects of the gospel — Providential interview with a 
strange woman — Work of God greatly prospers — Remarks on silent meet- 
ings — Great inward conflicts — Remarkable answer to prayer — The arm 
of the Lord made bare in the conversion of souls — The wicked persecute 
— Escapes unhurt — Silences an ignorant disputant, and escapes imprison- 
ment, 63 



3 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON* 



CHAPTER VI. 

Leaves the Peninsula, and at the request of Mr. Asbury goes to Phila- 
delphia — Society there in a depressed state — British army had just left 
the city — Citizens returned to their employments — Success in New-Jer- 
sey — Conversion of an old man — Remarkable account of a young wo- 
man, * 95 

CHAPTER VII. 

Returns to the Peninsula — Introduction of Methodism into Dorchester 
county — Peculiar exercises, and happy deliverance— Escapes an attempt 
to take his life — Taken by a mob — Imprisonment of J. Hartley — Maltreat- 
ed and imprisoned — Happy in his own soul— Is set at liberty — Strange 



visions of the night, 98 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Disputes respecting the ordinances — Mistakes corrected — Breach heal- 
ed, and harmony restored — Mr. Asbury's account of this affair — Goes to 
Baltimore — Thence to the Peninsula — Singular dream, - - 110 

CHAPTER IX. 



Goes to Little York — Curious account of the conversion of a man and 
his wife — Effects thereof on the people — Goes to Colchester — Curious ac- 
count of a deluded woman — Persecution rages — Visits a distressed man — 
Opposed by some soldiers who were quartered in the town — Powerful ef- 
fects of the word preached — Attends conference in Baltimore, where una- 
nimity prevails — Great distress in Virginia — Rev. Mr. Jarrett friendly to 
the Methodists, 115 

CHAPTER X. 

Travels extensively through Virginia and North Carolina — Political diffi- 
culties — Goes to Little York — Preaches in the fields — Preaches on the doc- 
trine of perfection — Remarkable dream — Remarks on infant baptism — 
Greatly encouraged to persevere — Visits and rejoices with his old friends — 
Mourns over the stupidity of the people — xlttends conference in Baltimore 
— Account of a blind man — Interesting account of a young female — At- 
tends to the people of colour — Conversion of a great opposer — Meets Dr. 
Coke — Reflections on Mr. Wesley's plan for the organization of a church 
—Goes to call a conference of the preachers at Baltimore, - - 123 

CHAPTER XI. 

State of the societies at the conclusion of the war — Destitute of the ordi- 
nances — Mr. Wesley solicited to supply this deficiency — Finally consents — 
Ordains Dr. Coke, who arrives in America, in company with Richard 
Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey — Christmas conference — Mr. Asbury or- 
dained a superintendent, and Mr. Garrettson, and others, elders — He vo- 
lunteers for Nova Scotia — Pastoral letters — Embarks for Halifax — Stormy 
passage — Kindl}~ received at Halifax, preaches and forms a society — ■ 
Makes a tour into the country and preaches with success — Account of the 
Allenites — Letter to Mr. Wesley — Mr. Wesley's answer — Visits Liverpool 
— Society doubled by his labours — Commencement of Methodism in 
Liverpool — Visits Shelburne— Kindly treated by the rector of the parish 
— Society increases amid opposition — Returns to Liverpool— Thence to 
Halifax — Correspondence w ith Mr. Wesley, Dr. Coke, and Bishop Asbury 
— Anecdotes and reflections — Leaves Nova Scotia for Boston — Origin of 
Methodism in Boston — Mr, Garrettson preaches there — Passes thence to 
Providence — Newport — New-Vork — Philadelphia — to Baltimore, and at- 
tends conference, • - 134 

CHAPTER XII. 

Attends conference in Baltimore — Elected superintendent of the socie- 
ties in British America — Strong solicitations to accept the office — Reasons 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOtf. 



for declining — Appointed to the Peninsula — Contrast between the present 
and former state of the people here —Methodism generally prosperous — But 
some delusions— Their cause — Closes his labours in this place, - 165 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Proposes visiting New-England — Stops in New-York — Takes charge of 
the northern district — Enters on his work with twelve young preachers 
under his oversight — General state of the country — Correspondence with 
Mr. Wesley — Second tour through his district — Death of Mr. Cook — Cu- 
rious conversation — Origin of Methodism in Ashgrove — Dangerously 
wounded — Commencement of Methodism on Long Island — Mr. Garrettson 
visits there — Obstacles to the progress of truth — Attends the first council 
in Baltimore — Journal of a tour through a part of New-England to Boston 
— Attends conference in New-York — Comparative view of the work in this 

part of the country-, 171 

CHAPTER XIV. 

End of the printed journal — Division of his district — Visits Albany — 
Meets with Bishop Asbury — Attends conference — His testimony of Bishop 
Asbury's excellences — Account of the Shakers — Tour into the new settle- 
ments — State of the country — Work of God revives— Providential escape 
from danger— Visits the eastern part of his district— Meets Bishop Asbury, 
and converses with him on church government — Attends General Confer- 
ence in Baltimore — Mr. O'Kelly's division — Its effects — Visits his friends 
in Maryland — Returns to New-York — Passes through his district — His 

marriage, 196 

CHAPTER XV. 

Mr. Garrettson stationed in Philadelphia — On the New-York district — 
Settles his family in Rhinebeck— Prosecutes his labours — Erects a house — 
Goodness of God displayed toward him— Situation of his mansion — His 
cares multiply — Dedicates his new house to the Lord — Several stations he 
filled — In 1809 visits his old friends at the south — His account of this tour 
— Remarkable preservation — Visits Baltimore, Washington city, and va- 
rious places on the Peninsula of Md. — Attends camp meetings, &c, 209 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Appointed to the New-York district — Some account of his duties — His 
sermon on the union of fear, hope, and love — General Conference in 1808 — 
Attends the first delegated conference in 1812 — His views on some parts of 
our ecclesiastical economy — Appointed a conference missionary — His letter 
to the Rev Lyman Beecher — State of that controversy — Mr. Garrettson's 
views of the subject — His charity sermon — Not pleased with being returned 
a supernumerary — Domestic enjoyments — Makes a journey to Albany, 
Schenectady, Troy, &c. — Returns home — Solemn reflections — Makes an- 
other southern tour — Visits New-York, Trenton, Burlington, Philadelphia, 
Wilmington, Abington, and his native place — Reflections on the state of 
the people — Goes to Baltimore, and participates in a revival of the work 
of God in that city — Returns to Rhinebeck, 225 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Attends the New- York conference — Secession of a number from the 
church in New-York — His feelings in relation to that unhappy affair — 
Makes a short tour to the north — Thence to the eastward — Passes through 
New-York — Thence on to Middletovvn, Conn. — Thence to New-London, 
where he enjoys much peace — Visits Norwich and preaches — Conversation 
with a pious lady — Revival of religion — Grieved with beholding the rava- 
ges of Socinianism — Goes to Providence, R. L, and preaches — Probable 
check to the Socinian heresy — Visits Boston and Lynn — Origin of Me- 
thodism in Dorchester, Mass. — Visits Cambridge — Returns to Hartford — - 
Thence to Rhinebeck — Domestic felicity — Makes a second tour — Afflie- 



# 



5 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



tion — Reflections thereon — Ardent desire for the salvation of souls' — Re= 
turns through New-York city to Rhinebeck — Revival of religion there- 
Attends conference, - 238 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Mr. Garrettson holds on his way — Engaged in building a house of wor- 
ship at Rhinebeck — Sets off to attend General Conference — Last visit to 
his native place — Some of the transactions of the conference — English 
delegates — Friendly intercourse and correspondence between the English 
and American conferences — His views on some points of church govern- 
ment — Attends the New-York conference — Makes a western tour — Re- 
flections — Novatian schism — Testimony against Sabbath-breaking— 
Solemn reflections — Attends a camp meeting — Retires to his mansion — 
Private meditations — Visits some of his old friends in Westchester county 
■ — Notice of Governor Jay — Death of Mrs. Carpenter— Her character — • 

Visits Kingston — Death and character of Mr. Sands — Death of Mr. C 

S Death of old friends in New-York — Reflections on a call to the 

ministry — Death and character of Mrs. Suckley — Visits Philadelphia — His 
zeal for missions — Deadness to the world — Attends the New-York confer- 
ence — Preaches and publishes his semi-centennial sermon — Extracts from 
the sermon — Returns to Rhinebeck — Last entry in his journal, - 246 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Continued a conference missionary — Instance of his affection — His last 
letter to Mrs. Garrettson — Attends conference at Troy — His health and 
activity — Presentiment of his approaching dissolution — Visits New- York 
— His last sermon — His sickness, and death — His remains taken to Rhine- 
beck, and buried — His death a loss to the church — General outlines of his 
character — Simplicity his distinguishing feature — This gave him success 
in his ministry — Inspired him with persevering zeal — Induced him to for- 
sake all for Christ's sake — Gave him liberal views — Attached him to his 
brethren — It shone in domestic life—In the order of his household, his 
hospitality, his placability, and in the pulpit — His perseverance — Venera- 
tion for the sacred Scriptures — Dependance on divine aid — Variety and 
usefulness of his preaching — Infirmities common to man — His unblemished 
reputation for nearly fifty-two years^ Was the oldest Methodist travelling 
preacher — Concluding remark, - - - * - - 275 



I 



PREFACE 

TO THE 

LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



Very soon after the death of Mr. Garrettson it was 
made known to me by the bereaved widow, that he had 
expressed a desire that herself and daughter and myself 
should take the charge of his papers, and make such a 
disposition of them as we might consider to be fit and 
right. 

After taking a cursory survey of them, it was resolved 
that Mrs. Garrettson and her daughter should first examine 
them, make such alterations or emendations as they might 
think expedient, and transmit them to me to be prepared 
for publication in the manner I might judge most suitable 
and proper. 

Whatever reluctance I might feel to undertake a task 
so delicate, I could not refuse to comply with a request 
coming from one to whom I felt myself under many obli- 
gations for numerous tokens of his friendship, backed, as 
it was, by the wishes of his bereaved widow and daughter, 
and more especially as he had, previously to his death, 
frequently suggested the same thing to me. 

It is generally known that Mr. Garrettson published an 
account of his experience and travels in the year 1791. This 
account embraces a period of about thirty-nine years of his 
natural life, and sixteen of his spiritual pilgrimage. To this 
printed journal he had appended several manuscript notes. 
These, which appear to have been written near the close 

1* 



10 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



of his life, give a more detailed account of some of the 
incidents glanced at in his printed journal. They have 
been carefully examined, and such parts of them as were 
considered most important, either to throw additional light 
on his history, or to make the incidents more interesting 
and useful, have been incorporated in the present memoir. 

The original manuscript journal of his travels in Nova 
Scotia, and in some parts of the United States after his 
return from that province, was likewise consulted, and 
collated with the printed journal as far as it extended, 
with some letters from his friends in that country, his cor- 
respondence with Mr. Wesley, Dr. Coke, Mr. Asbury, 
and others, together with some anecdotes furnished by his 
pious daughter. From these documents several extracts 
have been made, some entire letters inserted, and, after 
collating his printed and manuscript journals, it was found 
expedient, in order to make the narrative the more com- 
plete, to weave the two together. 

During some periods of his life, Mr. Garrettson, it ap- 
pears, either made no record of his exercises and labours, 
or did not preserve it. These chasms have been filled 
up either from the records of the church, from informa- 
tion furnished by a member of the family, or from my own 
recollection. 

In giving an account of his early experience, and some 
of the first years of his labours in the " ministry of recon- 
ciliation," I thought it most advisable to give it chiefly in 
his own words, as thereby the genuine sentiments of his 
heart, the exercises of his mind, and the blessing of God 
upon his labours, would be the more accurately and forci- 
bly expressed, — reserving to myself, however, the privilege 
of adding a word or sentence to make the sense clearer, 
and substituting one word for another, without either alter- 
ing the meaning or changing the style. 

From the month of March, 1824, to June, 1826, he kept 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 11 

a very regular account of the manner in which he employ- 
ed his time. That the reader may see the influence of 
pure religion on the heart and conduct of a man who had 
been for so many years devoted to the service of God, and 
who expected so soon to appear in the presence of his 
Judge, I have made copious extracts from this part of his 
journal ; and I humbly trust that they will tend to make 
that religion which shone so steadily and brightly in the 
life of Mr. Garrettson, appear above all other things the 
most desirable and necessary. 

For the account of his remaining days, of his last sick- 
ness, and of his death, I am indebted partly to information 
received from Mrs. Garrettson and other friends who 
attended him in those solemn moments, and partly to 
my own knowledge. 

These are the materials from which the following memoir 
has been compiled. It has been my endeavour to furnish 
the reader with a faithful narration of the incidents of Mr. 
Garrettson's life, and of the various transactions in which 
he was engaged, as well as to exhibit an exact portraiture 
of him both in his private exercises and public labours. 
Though the critical reader will doubtless discover many 
defects, it is hoped not more than may find a reasonable 
apology from the circumstances under which I have per- 
formed my task. Other duties have had an imperious 
claim on my time and attention, and necessarily prevented 
my bestowing that labour on the work which otherwise I 
might have done. 

I have only to say, in conclusion, that should the reader 
find his faith in God confirmed, his love to him and desire 
to be more entirely devoted to his service increased, by 
reading this narration of the many instances of the dis- 
plays of divine providence and grace in behalf of a fellow- 
being, — as I cannot but think will be the case, — he w T ill 
add another testimony in favour of the utility of Christian 



12 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON* 

biography, and the writer will feel that he has "not la- 
boured in vain, nor spent his strength for naught," in fur- 
nishing to the surviving friends of Mr. Garrettson, and to 
the church generally, this imperfect account of his expe- 
rience and labours, and of his triumphant entry into the 
world of spirits. 

N. Bangs. 

Neio-York, August 1, 1829. 



INTRODUCTION 



TO THE 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



Mr. Garrettson was among the earliest Methodist 
preachers that were raised up in America. Being active 
and zealous from the commencement of his ministerial 
career, his life and labours are intimately connected with 
the rise and progress of Methodism in this country, and his 
name will therefore ever be associated with those self-deny- 
ing men who were instrumental in beginning and carrying 
forward that blessed work of God which has since spread 
so rapidly and extensively over this continent. On this 
account, it may not be amiss to introduce him to the notice 
of the reader by a sketch of the commencement of the work 
in this country. 

The first Methodist society in America was formed in the 
city of New-York, in the year 1766, by a few emigrants from 
Ireland. About the same time, however, that Mr. Philip 
Embury, a local preacher from Ireland, and his associates 
were laying the foundation for such permanent good in this 
city, a similar society was formed in Frederick county, 
Maryland, through the instrumentality of Mr. Stravvbridge, 
another local preacher from Ireland. 

Those obscure emigrants, having been connected with 
the Methodists in their own country, and having tasted of 
the comforts of religion, not finding on their arrival here 
spiritual associates with whom they could " take sweet 
counsel," were induced to assemble by themselves in a pri- 
vate room. Here, by the earnest entreaties of Mrs. Paul 
Hick, a pious matron, Mr. Embury very reluctantly com- 



14 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



menced preaching the doctrines of the gospel as taught 
by the Rev. John Wesley, and God blessed his labours. 
Some, indeed, have denominated Captain Webb the 
founder of Methodism in America. This I believe to be 
a mistake. Though he might have been in America 
before Mr. Embury and his associates arrived, we have 
no authentic account of his preaching, much less of his 
attempting to form a society, until after Mr. Embury began 
in New-York. To ascertain the truth in respect to whom 
this honour belongs, the writer took much pains some years 
since bv conversing with several of the aged members of 
the society, all of whom have since been called to their 
reward in heaven, who distinctly remembered the first rise 
of the society, and took a grateful delight in rehearsing the 
circumstances attending its formation and progress. 

But though Captain Webb, who was a converted soldier 
attached to the British army, which was at that time sta- 
tioned in Albany, may not be considered the founder of 
Methodism in this country, he was one of its most zealous 
and successful promoters. Hearing of the society in New- 
York, and of the difficulties with which they had to con- 
tend, he came to their assistance, introduced himself to 
Mr. Embury, and appeared before the assembly in his 
military costume as a preacher of righteousness. To be- 
hold a military officer in the character of an ambassador 
of Jesus Christ was a matter of no small surprise to the 
citizens who attended the meetings : but when they heard 
his addresses in the name of his divine Master, coming, 
as they did, warm from a heart inflamed with the love of 
God, their curiosity w r as exchanged for a conviction of the 
truth and a surrender of the heart to God. 

In consequence of an increased attention to the word 
preached by Mr. Embury and Captain Webb, the room in 
which they assembled became too small. They therefore 
hired a rigging loft in William-street, which they fitted up 
for a place of worship. Here they continued for a time to 
build -'each other up in their most holy faith." While Mr. 
Embury remained in the city, working with his hands for a 
living, and preaching to the people on Sabbath, attending 
prayer meetings, &c, Capt. Webb made excursions upon 
Long Island, where he preached Jesus Christ unto the 
people with peculiar energy and effect, 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



15 



It was not long, however, before the rigging loft in 
William-street was found too small to accommodate all who 
wished to assemble with them. To remedy this incon- 
venience, they began to think seriously about building a 
chapel. To this undertaking, however, there were many 
difficulties. The members of the society were mostly 
poor, few in number, and but little known among the 
wealthy and influential portion of the citizens. Being en- 
couraged, however, by the exhortations of Mrs. Hick, a 
woman of deep piety and great intrepidity of mind, they 
made an effort to erect a house for the Lord. Meeting 
with more favour than they had anticipated, they finally 
succeeded in purchasing some lots in John-street, on which 
they built a house, sixty feet by forty-two, in the year 1768, 
calling it, in honour of the founder of Methodism, Wesley 
Chapel. While this house was in progress, T. T., in 
behalf of the society, addressed the following letter to 
Mr. Wesley: — 

" New-York, Uth April, 1768. 

" Rev. and Very Dear Sir, — I intended writing to you 
for several weeks past ; but a few of us had a very material 
transaction in view. I therefore postponed writing until I 
could give you a particular account thereof ; this was the 
purchasing of ground for building a preaching house upon, 
which, by the blessing of God, we have now concluded. 
But before I proceed, I shall give you a short account of 
the state of religion in. this city. By the best intelligence 
I can collect, there was little either of the form or power 
of it until Mr. Whitefield came over, thirty years ago ; and 
even after his first and second visits, there appeared but 
little fruit of his labours. But during his visit fourteen or 
fifteen years ago, there was a considerable shaking among 
the dry bones. Divers were savingly converted ; and this 
work was much increased in his last journey, about fourteen 
years since, when his words were really like a hammer and 
like a fire. Most part of the adults were stirred up : 
great numbers pricked to the heart, and, by a judgment of 
charity, several found peace and joy in believing. The 
.consequence of this work was, churches were crowned, 
and subscriptions raised for building new Oites. Mr. 
Whitefield's example provoked most of the ministers to a 



16 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



much greater degree of earnestness. And by the multi- 
tudes of people, old and young, rich and poor, flocking to 
the churches, religion became an honourable profession. 
There was now no outward cross to be taken up therein. 
Nay, a person who could not speak about the grace of 
God, and the new birth, was esteemed unfit for genteel 
company. But in a while, instead of pressing forward, and 
growing in grace, (as he exhorted them,) the generality 
were pleading for the remains of sin and the necessity of 
being in darkness. They esteemed their opinions as the 
very essentials of Christianity, and regarded not holiness, 
either of heart or life. 

" The above appears to me to be a genuine account of 
the state of religion in New-York eighteen months ago, 
when it pleased God to rouse up Mr. Embury to employ 
his talent (which for several years had been hid, as it were, 
in a napkin) by calling sinners to repentance, and exhort- 
ing believers to let their light shine before men. He spoke 
at first only in his own house. A few were soon collected 
together and joined into a little society, chiefly his own 
countrymen, Irish Germans. In about three months after, 
brother White and brother Souse from Dublin, joined 
them. They then rented an empty room in their neigh- 
bourhood, which was in the most infamous street in the city, 
adjoining the barracks. For some time few thought it 
worth their while to hear : but God so ordered it by his 
providence, that about fourteen months ago Captain Webb, 
barrack master at Albany, (who was converted three years 
since at Bristol,) found them out, and preached in his regi- 
mentals. The novelty of a man preaching in a scarlet coat 
soon brought greater numbers to hear than the room could 
contain. But his doctrines were quite new to the hearers ; 
for he told them point-blank, 4 that all their knowledge and 
religion were not worth a rush, unless their sins were for- 
given, and they had "the witness of God's Spirit with 
theirs that they were the children of God.'" This strange 
doctrine, with some peculiarities in his person, made him 
soon taken notice of ; and obliged the little society to look 
out for a larger house to preach in. They soon found a 
place that had been built for a rigging house, sixty feet in 
length and eighteen in breadth. 

" About this period Mr. Webb, whose wife's relations 



LIFE OF REV F. GARRETTSON. 



17 



lived at Jamaica, Long Island, took a house in that neigh* 
bourhood, and began to preach in his own house, and 
several other places on Long Island. Within six months, 
about twenty-four persons received justifying grace, nearly 
half of them whites, — the rest negroes. While Mr. Webb 
was (to borrow his own phrase) * felling trees on Long 
Island,' brother Embury was exhorting all who attended 
on Thursday evenings, and Sundays, morning and evening, 
at the rigging house, to flee from the wrath to come. His 
hearers began to increase, and some gave heed to his 
report, about the time the gracious providence of God 
brought me safe to New- York, after a very favourable 
passage of six weeks from Plymouth. It was the 26th day 
of October last, when I arrived, recommended to a person 
for lodging ; I inquired of my host (who was a very reli- 
gious man) if any Methodists were in New- York ; he 
answered that there was one Captain Webb, a strange sort 
of man, who lived on Long Island, and who sometimes 
preached at one Embury's, at the rigging house. In a few 
days I found out Embury. I soon found of what spirit he 
was, and that he was personally acquainted with you and 
your doctrines, and that he had been a helper in Ireland. 
He had formed two classes, one of the men, and the other 
of the women, but had never met the society apart from 
the congregation, although there were six or seven men, 
and as many women, who had a clear sense of their accept* 
ance in the Beloved. 

u You will not wonder at my being agreeably surprised 
in meeting with a few here who have been and desire again 
to be in connection with you. God only knows the weight 
of affliction I felt on leaving my native country. But I 
have reason now to conclude God intended all for my good. 
Ever since I left London, my load has been removed, and 
I have found a cheerfulness in being banished from all 
near and dear to me, and I made, a new covenant with 
my God, that I would go to the utmost parts of the earth, 
provided he would raise up a people, with whom 1 might 
join in his praise. On the great deep I found a more 
earnest desire to be united with the people of God than e ver 
before. I made a resolution that God's people should be 
my people, and their God my God : and bless his holy 
name, I have since experienced more heartfelt happiness 



18 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



than ever I thought it possible to have on this side eternity, 
All anxious care about my dear wife and children is taken 
away. I cannot assist them, but I daily and hourly com- 
mend them to God in prayer, and I know he hears my 
prayers, by an answer of love in my heart. I rind power 
daily to devote myself unto him ; and I find power also to 
overcome sin. If any uneasiness at all affects me, it is 
because I can speak so little of so good a God. 

" Mr. Embury lately has been more zealous than for- 
merly ; the consequence of which is, that he is more lively 
in preaching ; and his gifts as well as graces are much in- 
creased. Great numbers of serious persons came to hear 
God's word as for their lives ; and their numbers increased 
so fast that our house for six weeks past would not con- 
tain half the people. 

" We had some consultations how to remedy this incon- 
venience, and Mr. Embury proposed renting a small lot of 
ground for twenty-one years, and to exert our utmost en- 
deavours to build a wooden tabernacle ; a piece of ground 
was proposed ; the ground rent was agreed for, and the 
lease was to be executed in a few days. We, however, 
in the mean time, had two several days for fasting and 
prayer, for the direction of God and his blessing on our 
proceedings ; and Providence opened such a door as we 
had no expectation of. A young man, a sincere Christian 
and constant hearer, though not joined in society, not giv- 
ing any thing toward this house, offered ten pounds to buy 
a lot of ground, went of his own accord to a lady who had 
two lots to sell, on one of which there is a house that rents 
for eighteen pounds per annum. He found the purchase 
money of the two lots was six hundred pounds, which she 
was willing should remain in the purchasers' possession, 
on good security. We called once more on God for his 
direction, and resolved to purchase the whole. There are 
eight of us who are joint purchasers : among whom Mr. 
W r ebb and Mr. Lupton are men of property. I was deter- 
mined the house should be on the same footing as the orphan 
house at New-Castle, and others in England ; but as we 
were ignorant how to draw the deeds, we purchased for us 
and our heirs, until a copy of the writing is sent us from Eng- 
land, which we desire maybe sent by the first opportunity. 

" Before we began to talk of building, the devil and his 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON* 



19 



children were very peaceable : but since this affair took 
place many ministers have cursed us in the name of the 
Lord, and laboured with all their might to stop their con- 
gregations from assisting us. But He that sitteth in the 
highest laughed them to scorn. Many have broken through, 
and given their friendly assistance. We have collected above 
one hundred pounds more than our own contributions ; and 
have reason to hope in the whole we shall have two hun- 
dred pounds : but the house will cost us four hundred pounds 
more, so that unless God is pleased to raise up friends we 
shall yet be at a loss. I believe Mr. Webb and Mr. Lup- 
ton will borrow or advance two hundred pounds, rather than 
the building should not go forward ; but the interest of 
money here is a great burden — being seven per cent. Some 
of our brethren proposed writing to you for a collection in 
England: but I was averse to this, as I well know our 
friends there are overburdened already. Yet so far I would 
earnestly beg: if you would intimate our circumstances to 
particular persons of ability, perhaps God would open their 
hearts to assist this infant society, and contribute to the 
first preaching house on the original Methodist plan in all 
America, (excepting Mr. Whitefield's orphan house in 
Georgia :) but I shall write no more on this subject. 

" There is another point far more material, and in which 
I must importune your assistance, not only in my own 
name, but also in the name of the whole society. We want 
an able and experienced preacher ; one who has both gifts 
and grace necessary for the work. God has not, indeed, 
despised the day of small things. There is a real work of 
grace begun in many hearts, by the preaching of Mr. Webb 
and Mr. Embury; but although they are both useful, and 
their hearts in the work, they want many qualifications for 
such an undertaking ; and the progress of the gospel here 
depends much upon the qualifications of preachers. 

" In regard to a preacher, if possible we must have a man 
of wisdom, of sound faith, and a good disciplinarian : one 
whose heart and soul are in the work ; and I doubt not 
but by the goodness of God such a flame will be soon kin- 
dled as would never stop until it reached the great South 
Sea. We may make many shifts to evade temporal incon- 
veniences ; but we cannot purchase such a preacher as I 
have described. Dear sir, I entreat you, for the good of 



20 



LIFE OF REV F. GARRETTSON. 



thousands, to use your utmost endeavours to send one over, 
I would advise him to take shipping at Boston, Liverpool, 
or Dublin, in the month of July or early in August : by 
embarking at this season he will have fine weather in his 
passage, and probably arrive here in the month of Sep- 
tember. He will see before winter what progress the gos- 
pel has made. 

" With respect to money for the payment of the preach- 
ers 1 passage over, if they could not procure it, we would 
sell our coats and shirts to procure it for them. 

" I most earnestly beg an interest in your prayers, and 
trust you, and many of our brethren, will not forget the 
church in this wilderness. 

" I remain with sincere esteem, Rev. and dear sir, 
" Your very affectionate brother and servant, 

" T T " 

In answer to the earnest request contained in this letter, 
Mr. Wesley sent over Messrs. Boardman and Pilmoor, and 
£50 sterling, as a "token of brotherly love." They were 
cordially received by the people here, and soon much en- 
couraged in their work, as the following letter from Mr, 
Pilmoor will fully show :— 

Philadelphia, Oct. 31, 1769. 

" Rev. Sir, — By the blessing of God we are safely 
arrived here after a tedious passage of nine weeks. W T e 
were not a little surprised to find Captain Webb in town, 
and a society of about one hundred members, who desire 
to be in close connection with you. ' This is the Lord's 
doing, and it is marvellous in oifr eyes.' 

" I have preached several times, and the people flock 
to hear in multitudes. Sunday evening, I went out upon 
the common. I had the stage appointed for the horse race 
for my pulpit, and I think between four and five thousand 
hearers, who heard with attention still as night. Blessed 
be God for field preaching. When I began to talk of 
preaching at five o'clock in the morning, the people thought 
it would not answer in America : however, I resolved to 
try, and I had a very good congregation. 

" Here seems to be a great and effectual door opening in 
this country, and I hope many souls will be gathered in, 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



21 



The people in general like to hear the word, arid seem to 
have ideas of salvation by grace." 

After continuing a short time in Philadelphia, Mr. 
Pilmoor made an excursion to Maryland, where he found 
Mr. Strawbridge, and preached with some success. He 
likewise visited some parts of Virginia and North Carolina ; 
and witnessing the happy effects of his labours in the 
awakening of sinners, he formed some societies. In all 
places which he visited, he found people eager to hear the 
word, and kind to those who came to preach it. From 
hence he returned to Philadelphia, and soon came to New- 
York, while Mr. Boardman went to Philadelphia ; thus 
commencing, in the early stage of their labours, a regular 
change from place to place. The society in New-York, 
under the labours of Mr. Embury and Captain Webb, was 
in a flourishing state on the arrival of Mr. Boardman, 
whose godly simplicity and evangelical preaching were 
made a peculiar blessing to many. In this prosperous 
state of the society, Mr. Pilmoor entered upon his charge 
over them. As he thought it most prudent to make a fair 
trial before he transmitted his account of the state of things 
to Mr. Wesley, he deferred writing until April 24, 1770, 
on which day he wrote the following letter : — 

" Our house contains about seventeen hundred hearers. 
About a third part of those who attend get in ; the rest are 
glad to hear without. There appears such a willingness 
in the Americans to hear the word as I never saw before. 
They have no preaching in some of the back settlements. 
I doubt not but an effectual door will be opened among 
them. O ! may the Most High now give his Son the hea- 
then for his inheritance. The number of the blacks that 
attend the preaching affects me much." 

From these representations of the state and disposition 
of the people in America, Mr. Wesley was induced to 
concert measures to send them over more labourers. Ac- 
cordingly the next year, 1771, Mr. Francis iVsbury and 
Mr. Richard Wright, who volunteered their services, were 
dismissed under the blessing of God for the help of their 
brethren in America. They set sail from Bristol, Sept. 2, 
1771, and landed in Philadelphia the 24th-of October follow- 
ing. They were received with great cordiality, "the people 
hardly knowing," says Mr. Asbury, " how to show their 



22 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



love sufficiently, bidding us welcome with fervent affec- 
tion, and receiving us as angels of God." 

According to a notice in Mr. Asbury's Journal, vol. iii, 
p. 109, it appears that when he arrived in this country he 
found three hundred Methodists in New-York, two hun- 
dred and hfty in Philadelphia, and a few in New- Jersey, 
probably in all about six hundred. Those in Maryland do 
not appear to be included in this number. On the arrival 
of Mr. Asbury, he very properly judged that they could 
not expect a general spread of the work of God, unless 
they extended themselves into the country towns and 
villages. He accordingly led the way, by which prospects 
of usefulness opened before them in every direction. 

By the faithful exertions of Mr. Asbury* and those who 
were associated with him, the work of God extended 
among the people, and it was soon perceived that more 
help was much needed to supply the calls of the people. 
Indeed the people in many places, particularly in the mid- 
dle and southern provinces — for so these United States 
were then called, being a part of the British dominions — 
were but poorly supplied with the word and ordinances of 
Christ, and pure religion was generally at a very low ebb. 
A taste for experimental religion had, it is true, been 
created in some hearts, by the powerful preaching of the 
celebrated Whitefleld, who, some time previously to the 
arrival of the Methodist missionaries, had travelled through 
the country, and preached with his usual zeal and success. 
The fields, however, at this time, " were ripe for the har- 
vest and a faithful account of the state of affairs here 
being transmitted to Mr. Wesley, in 1773 Messrs. Thomas 
Rankin and George Shadford volunteered their services, 
and came over to the continent : and the following year 
Messrs. James Dempster and Martin Rodda were added 
to the number. 

To Mr. Rankin Mr. Wesley committed the general 
superintendence of the work, and he called the first regu- 
lar conference in the city of Philadelphia, in the month of 
Tune, 1773.* At this conference there were returned on 

* This date corresponds with that in the printed Minutes ; but ac- 
cording to Mr. Asburv's Journal, this conference was held July 14, 
1773, and Mr. Drew, in his Life of Dr. Coke, in an extract from Mr. 
Rankin, agrees with Mr. Asbury, 



LIFE OF REV, F. GARRETTSON. 



23 



the Minutes ten travelling preachers, and one thousand 
one hundred and sixty members of society. From the 
printed Minutes of the conference for 1774, it appears 
there vvefe fourteen preachers, who commenced their iti- 
nerant labours in America, viz., William Watters, Abraham 
White worth, Joseph Yearbry, Philip Gatch, Philip Ebert, 
William Duke, John Wade, Daniel RufT, Edward Drum- 
gole, Isaac Rollins, Robert Lindsay, Samuel Spragg, 
Richard Webster, John King ; and three English preach- 
ers, viz., Thomas Rankin, Francis Asbury, and George 
Shadford. The numbers in society this year were two 
thousand and seventy-three. Mr. Boardman, who was a 
man deeply devoted to God, and a sound able minister of 
Jesus Christ, and Mr. Pilmoor, it appears, had both re- 
turned to England. 

From the above list of preachers it will be perceived 
that the Lord of the harvest had raised up labourers in this 
country to cultivate his field. 

This sketch brings us down to the year 1775, at which 
time, according to the printed Minutes, there were nineteen 
preachers stationed, and three thousand one hundred and 
forty-eight members in society. It was during this year 
that Mr. Freeborn Garrettson, who is the subject of the 
following memoir, was brought to the saving knowledge 
of the truth, and commenced his ministerial labours. I 
shall therefore close this introduction by remarking that 
the above short account of the commencement of Method- 
ism in this country, compared with what it now is, shows 
by what feeble and comparatively inefficient means, God 
often accomplishes his work in the souls of men ; and that 
all this is done, according to an inspired declaration, that 
" no man should glory in man, but he that glorieth must 
glory in the Lord." 



THE LIFE 

OP THE 

REV, FREEBORN GARRETTSON. 



CHAPTER I. 

Mr. Garrettson was born in the state of Maryland, 
August 15, in the year 1752. His parents were members 
of the Church of England, and educated their children in 
the same faith. His grandfather was an emigrant from 
Great Britain, and was among the first settlers in the pro- 
vince of Maryland, on the west side of the Chesapeake bay, 
near the mouth of the Susquehannah river. Being surround- 
ed with the aborigines of the country, his situation was so 
perilous that he found himself compelled to go armed by 
day and night. The place where he first settled is still 
designated by his name, and is the residence of a branch 
of the family. 

Mr. Garrettson's father was a man of moral character, 
and esteemed by his neighbours as a good Christian. His 
mother truly feared the Lord, having been enlightened 
under the ministrations of some of the followers of the 
Rev. George White fie id, who itinerated so largely and 
preached so successfully through the country. Though 
she did not connect herself with these people, she had fre- 
quent intercourse with them, and " I have," says Mr. Gar- 
rettson, " frequently heard her speak of their piety with 
tears." He adds, "Those blessed men of God, the Ten- 
nants, in their itinerating tours, often preached through 
those parts, and their labours were blessed to many." 

The following is the account which Mr. Garrettson gives 
of his early childhood : " I was," as my parents informed 
me, " from my infancy prone to pride, self-will, and stub- 
bornness. As far as I know of any one predominant prin- 

2 



26 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOtf. 



ciple of my nature, it was a love of freedom and in depend 
dence. I could easily be led, but it seemed morally impossi- 
ble to drive me. When I was at school, if ever I got inta 
a difficulty with any of my schoolmates, it was in conse- 
quence of my taking part with some poor children, who I 
thought were not treated kindly. With such it was a plea- 
sure with me to divide my morsel." " It would be well," 
he adds, " for parents to be acquainted with the native 
genius of their children, and to educate them accordingly. 
Had this been the case with me, perhaps I might have 
engaged in the work for which I was designed, under more 
favourable auspices, as it respects education." These 
reflections are certainly founded in the nature of things, 
and should be heeded, as far as practicable, by every parent. 
The following account shows the benign influence which 
parental example and admonitions have on young and 
tender minds. 

" I was very early taught the Lord's prayer, apostles' 
creed, and the ten commandments, together with the Cate- 
chism of the Church of England ; and was in early life 
restrained by my tender parents from open sin. It pleased 
the Lord to remove my dear mother into eternity when I 
was young. But I shall never forget the admonitions which 
she gave me. One Lord's day, when I was about seven 
years of age, my mother was retired, (I was sitting by her 
side,) and while she was reading the last two chapters of 
the Revelation, when she came to the place where it speaks 
of the tree and water of life, she made a full stop, and with 
eyes uplifted to heaven, and tears flowing down, ' O!' said 
she ' that I may be happy enough to eat of that fruit, and 
drink of that water, in my heavenly Father's kingdom P 
I believe the blessed Spirit was with her, and I felt the 
divine operations ; but I knew him not ; for we lived in a 
dark time. One day when I was about nine years of age, 
as I was walking alone in the field, it was strongly impress- 
ed on my mind, as if I had heard a voice, ' Ask, and it shall 
be given you.' I was immediately desirous to know what 
it meant, and it occurred to my mind that this was a Scrip- 
tural promise. But I, having no ideas of spiritual things, 
immediately ran to the house, and told my elder brother it was 
revealed to me that I should be very rich. Shortly after this 
I was by myself, and it was suggested to me, ' Do you know 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETT SON. 



27 



what a saint is V I paused awhile in my mind, and answer- 
ed, There are no saints in this our day on earth. The sug- 
gestion continued, ' A saint is one that is wholly given up 
to God ; and immediately, in idea, I saw such a person, 
who appeared the most beautiful of any I had ever beheld. 
I was affected, and prayed to the Lord to make me a saint, 
and it was strongly impressed upon my mind that I should 
be one ; and a spirit of joy sprang up within me ; but I 
had no one to open to me the way of salvation. 

" Some time after this, great afflictions befel my father's 
family : first a sister, then my mother, and then two ser- 
vants were removed into eternity. The ninth day of my 
sister's illness, she asked for nourishment, and ate heartily 
for one in her low state. After she had done, she desired 
to be raised in the bed ; ' I am,' said she, ' about to leave the 
world.' The family were called together by her request, 
and were in a flood of tears : ' Weep not for me,' said she, 
' for I am not afraid to die. I am going to my Jesus, who 
will do more for me than any of you can do.' I believe 
her soul was happy. And the affecting exhortation which 
she gave will never be forgotten by me. When almost 
spent, she desired to be laid down, bidding all farewell ; 
and within a few minutes, with a smiling countenance, she 
bade the world adieu. From her infancy her conscientious- 
ness and uprightness were noticed by all who knew her. 
It was not common to find her on the Lord's day without 
a Bible ; her old uncle, who was a communicant in the 
church used to say, ' Sally lives as she would wish to die.' 
From this time a melancholy gloom hung over me, and I 
frequently went alone to weep, I felt that I wanted some- 
thing, but what it was I knew not ; for I had none to take 
me by the hand and lead me into the narrow path. I know 
the blessed Spirit often strove with me, so that I have been 
melted into tenderness ; but I knew not the way of salva- 
tion. About this time I bought myself a pocket Testament, 
frequently withdrew to read it ; and was much affected with 
the sufferings of our blessed Lord. Our unhappy minister 
was a stranger to God, and the most of his flock, I fear, 
were in the way to ruin. 

" When I was about twelve years of age I was removed 
to another school, and I soon threw off all seriousness and 
became as wild as the rest of my young playmates. The 



28 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



most of my school hours, after I turned fourteen, were 
taken up in branches of the mathematics and book-keep- 
ing, and the intervals of my time in the study of astronomy. 
I have often continued alone in the study of this till after 
midnight, without a serious thought of God, or my eternal 
welfare. Between the seventeenth and eighteenth years 
of my age I left school and began to think about living in the 
world. But alas ! I was careless, and carnal, though what 
the world calls amoral youth. I was fond of pleasure, and 
loved this world more than God. O ! what reason have I 
to praise God for his goodness, in pursuing me with the 
overtures of mercy." 

The following account of the introduction of Methodism 
into this country, taken principally from manuscript notes 
which Mr. Garrettson had written to his printed Journal, 
corresponds with what has already been said on this sub- 
ject in the introduction : 

About this time there began to be much said about the 
people called Methodists in Baltimore county, where I then 
lived. The following is the manner in which these people 
commenced their work of love in this country: Mr. Straw- 
bridge, a local preacher from Ireland, came to this province 
and settled at Pipe Creek, in Maryland, and Mr. Williams, 
another Irish local preacher, came over. These two men 
travelled, and preached considerably, and did much good. 
Mr. Strawbridge raised a society at Pipe Creek. About 
the same time Mr. Embury, a local preacher from Ireland, 
came over and settled in New- York, and raised a society. 
All this was before Mr. Wesley sent any regular travelling 
preacher to this country. Mr. Strawbridge came to the 
house of a gentleman near where I lived to stay all night ; 
I had never heard him preach, but as I had a great desire 
to be in company with a person who had caused so much 
talk in the country, I went over and sat and heard him 
converse till nearly midnight, and when I retired, it was 
with these thoughts — I have never spent a few hours so 
agreeably in my life. He spent most of the time in ex- 
plaining Scripture and in giving interesting anecdotes, and 
perhaps one of them would do to relate here : 4 A congre- 
gation came together at a certain place, and a gentleman 
who was hearing thought the preacher had directed his 
whole sermon to him, and retired home after service in 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



29 



disgust. However, he concluded he would hear him once 
more, and hide himself behind the people so that the preach- 
er should not see him : it was the old story ; his character 
was delineated. He retired dejected, but concluded pos- 
sibly the preacher saw me, and I will try him once more : 
he did so, and hid himself behind a door. The preacher 
happened to take his text from Isaiah, ' And. a man shall 
be as a hiding place,' &c. In the midst of the sermon the 
preacher cried out, Sinner, come from your scouting hole ! 
The poor fellow came forward, looked the preacher in the 
face, and said, You are a wizzard, and the devil is in you; 
I will hear you no more." 

At the time of which we are now speaking there were 
several zealous itinerants circulating through the country, 
who had been instrumental in the conversion of souls, and 
in establishing societies. 

" Many," said Mr. Garrettson, " went out to hear them, 
and I among the rest, but the place was so crowded I could 
not get into the house : but from what I could understand, 
I thought they preached the truth, and did by no means 
dare to join with the multitude in persecuting them ; but 
thought I would let them alone, and keep close to my own 
church. ! those soul-damning sins, pride and unbelief, 
which kept me from God and his people ! 

" Blessed be God, it was not long after that his Holy 
Spirit began again to work powerfully with me. One day, 
as I was riding home, I met a young man who had been 
hearing the Methodists, and had got his heart touched 
under the word. He stopped me in the road, and began to 
talk so sweetly about Jesus and his people, and recom- 
mended him to me in such a winning manner, that I was 
deeply convinced there was a reality in that religion, and 
that it was time for me to think seriously on the subject. 

Not many days had passed before a little book fell into 
my hands, called RusseFs Seven Sermons. By this book 
I was advised to make as exact an estimate of all my sins 
as possible : I did so, and found they were numerous, for 
I began to see myself in the gospel glass ; and many were 
the tears I shed over this book. I promised an amend- 
ment of life ; but my repentance was too much like the 
early dew. The way of salvation was not open to me, 
and there was an unwillingness in me to submit. But as 



30 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



my blessed Lord was not willing that I should perish, his 
good Spirit still strove with me. One day, as I was pass- 
ing over a rapid stream, a log on which I had frequently 
gone gave way, and I was near being swept down the 
stream ; after struggling awhile I got out, though much 
wounded among the sharp rocks. This query struck my 
mind with great weight, 'What would have become of your 
soul, had you been drowned V I wept bitterly, and prayed 
to the Lord under a sense of my guilt. Still my stubborn 
heart was not willing to submit, though I began to carry a 
little hell in my bosom. 

"In May, 1772, as I was riding out one afternoon, I 
went down a descent over a large broad rock ; my horse 
stumbled and threw me ; and with the fall on the rock, and 
the horse blundering over me, I was beaten out of my 
senses. I was alone, and how long I lay I know not ; 
but when I had in some measure recovered, I found myself 
on my knees, with my hands and eyes raised to heaven, 
crying to God for mercy. It came strongly into my mind 
that had I then been taken into the other world, I should 
have dropped into hell. I felt my misery, and praised God, 
as well as I knew how, for my deliverance ; and before I 
moved from the place I promised to serve him all the days 
of my life. But before I rose from my knees, all my pain 
of body was removed, and I felt nearly as well as ever I 
did in my life. I also felt the drawing of God's Spirit, and 
in a measure saw a beauty in Jesus : but I did not know 
that my sins were forgiven ; neither was the plan of salva- 
tion clearly open to me ; but I went on my way determined, 
by grace, to be a follower of Christ. All the Antinomians 
in the world could not make me believe that a man cannot 
feel sweet drawings before he experiences justification. 

" I now procured a collection of the best religious books 
that I could ; among which were the writings of Mr. Her- 
vey, The Travels of True Godliness, and Alleine's Alarm 
to the Unconverted ; for as yet I had not seen any of Mr. 
Wesley's publications, nor conversed on religious subjects 
with any of the Methodists, except the one above men- 
tioned. 

"As I lived a retired life, I frequently read, prayed, and 
wept till after midnight; and often withdrew to the woods 
and other private places for prayer. In some measure my 



1772. LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



31 



name was already cast out as evil, though I was ashamed 
to let any one know the exercises of my mind, or that I 
used secret prayer : and in order to conceal it when in 
company, I have frequently grieved the blessed Spirit by 
joining in trifling conversation ; for I was much afraid of 
being thought a hypocrite. The Holy Spirit still pursued 
me, and I attended strictly to the duties of the family over 
which I was placed. I had as yet heard very few Method- 
ist sermons ; and the devil strove very hard to keep me 
from going among those people. Some time after, my late 
well-tried friend and brother, Mr. Francis Asbury, came to 
our country : I went to hear him one evening at R. W's, 
The place was crowded, but I got to the door and sat down. 
He had not preached long before I sensibly felt the word, 
and his doctrine seemed as salve to a festering wound. I 
heard him with delight, and bathed in tears could have 
remained there till the rising of the sun, the time passed 
so sweetly away: I was delightfully drawn, and was greatly 
astonished to find a person go on so fluently without his 
sermon before him. I suppose hundreds of thoughts pass- 
ed through my mind. But I returned home with gladness, 
fully persuaded that he was a servant of God, and that he 
preached in a way I had not heard before. I followed him 
to another preaching place, and fixing my attentive eye 
upon him, I found him to be a workman that need not be 
ashamed, rightly dividing the word. He began to wind 
about me in such a manner that I found my sins in clusters, 
as it were, around me : and the law in its purity, probing 
to the very bottom, and discovering the defects of my heart. 
I was ready to cry out, i How does this stranger know me 
so well !' After sermon was ended, I wished not to speak 
to any one, but returned home with my mind very solemnly 
affected. 

" Methodism at this time began in some measure to 
spread ; for the blessed God touched the hearts of several 
young men, converted their souls, and called them to 
preach, which appeared to be a new thing in our country. 
Among the first were W. Watters, R. Webster, two brothers 
by the name of Rollins, and several others who began to 
exhort: they were zealous, their labours were blessed, and 
persecution arose: the cry began to be, enthusiasm- 
false prophets. Indeed, though I was under conviction, 



32 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1773. 



and had felt the drawings of the Spirit, I had my fears that 
matters were going too far, though I did not dare open 
my mouth against the work- 

" My father began to be troubled about me, and came to 
see me. We sat up talking till nearly midnight. ' I have 
no objection,' said he, 'to your being religious; but why 
would you turn from the Church V I replied, I have no 
intention to leave the Church, but whenever persons be- 
come serious, they are called Methodists, and their names 
are cast out as evil. After we parted, I found great ten- 
derness of heart, and shed many tears in private, and many 
promises occurred to my mind. I loved the Methodists, 
and yet the enemy of my soul kept me at a distance from 
them. Unbelief and pride deprived me of the comforts of 
assurance. 

" In April, 1773, my brother John was taken danger- 
ously ill, so that his life was despaired of. One Lord's 
day many of our relations and friends came to see him, 
expecting every minute that he would breathe his last. 
I was greatly concerned on account of his soul, which 
seemed to be just launching into eternity, and I feared that 
he was unprepared, I went around to the back part of the 
bed, and kneeling down, I prayed earnestly to the Lord to 
have mercy on his soul. After I had done praying, I per- 
ceived his lips were moving, but could not hear a word 
that he spoke, till I put my ear close to his mouth, (appa- 
rently he was just going,) and heard him say, 4 Lord, 
thou knowest I am unprepared to die ; have mercy on me 
and raise me up, and give me a longer space, and I will 
serve thee ; thy Spirit has often strove with me, but I have 
rejected thee,' &c. Thus did he plead with the Lord for 
a considerable time. He knew, and so did I, the moment 
of time when the Lord answered prayer, and granted him 
a longer space. Immediately I rose from my knees, and 
told the waiting company they need not be uneasy, for the 
Lord would raise him again : instantly the disorder turned, 
he fell into a doze, and within a few days was able to 
walk about his room. After his recovery, I conversed 
with him on the subject, and he told me that he saw death 
approaching, that he was summoned to appear in the world 
of spirits, and that hell was his doom. I knew, said he, 
when a reprieve in answer to prayer was sent, the blow 



1773.] 



LIFE OF REV, F. GARRETTSON. 



33 



averted, and the tender thread lengthened, on condition 
that I would give the remainder of my days to the Lord. 
A few years after, he was really changed in heart ; he 
lived two years and eight months happy in the service of 
God, and died a witness of perfect love. 

" About this time the Lord laid me under his afflicting 
hand, and I was brought nigh unto death. During the 
time ot my illness I was in a very strange way ; I lay on 
my bed singing praises to God without any dread of death ; 
I felt my mind easy ; I thought if I was removed I should 
go to heaven ; I was willing to die ; I did not know my 
sins were forgiven ; but I felt a strong hope, though I w r as 
not fully acquainted with the plan of salvation. Who can. 
tell what state my soul was in? I was a good Churchman,* 
but a poor Methodist. Blessed be the name of the Lord ! 
He delights not in the death of a sinner, for he raised me 
up again ; but still the enemy of my soul strove to keep 
me from among God's dear despised children. 

" The August following, it pleased the Lord to take my 
father into eternity ; — surely it was painful to lose the 
tenderest of parents. From my earliest knowledge of his 
family, consisting of about twenty in number, I do not 
remember ever to have heard an oath sworn either by 
white or black ; and it was a rare thing for him to correct 
either children or servants, though still there was a trem- 
bling at his word. I frequently visited him in the time of 
his illness, (for he had a long and tedious sickness,) and 
he seemed very fond of my company ; I have reason to 
believe he went happy out of this dangerous world. Being 
now left in the entire charge of a family, and the settlement 
of my father's business mostly devolving on me, I was 
surrounded with many cares and troubles, which were no 
help to the affairs of my salvation. The devil strove hard 
to drive away all my good desires, but still I attended 
constantly to my secret devotions, though at times cold 
enough. It was not long after the death of my father that 
I had a particular interview with the new parish minister, 
who was a very clever man, of a moral character, and 
much respected in the place. I was a constant attendant 
on his ministry, and frequently conversed with him on 

* Religion in the Church of England was at this time at a very 
low ebb in Maryland. 

2* 



34 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1773. 



divine subjects. He told rae the Methodists carried mat- 
ters too far, that a man could not know his sins were 
forgiven, and that all we might expect in this life was a 
hope, springing from an upright life. This doctrine ex- 
actly tallied with my experience, and was food for my 
fallen nature. I soon fully agreed with him in sentiment, 
and pleaded that no man could know his sins forgiven in this 
world. The grand enemy began now to exercise my mind 
in another way ; namely, to seek a literary qualification for 
the ministry in the church. This hung upon me for a 
considerable time ; and I applied myself to reading and 
study for that purpose, often consulting my new counsellor. 
The Spirit of the Lord at times strove very powerfully, 
and I was frequently afraid that all was not well with me, 
especially when I was under Methodist preaching. To 
these people I was drawn ; but it was like death to me ; 
for I thought I had rather serve God in any way than 
among them ; while at the same time something within 
would tell me they were right. Being amazingly agitated 
in mind, I at length came to this conclusion, to give up my 
former pursuits, bend my mind to the improvement of my 
worldly property, and serve God in a private manner. I 
now sat out in full pursuit of business, with an expectation 
of accumulating the riches of the world. 

u During the time of my self-secure state, I had the 
form of godliness, attended the church constantly, and 
sometimes went to hear the Methodists. I fasted once a 
week, prayed frequently every day in secret places, endea- 
voured to attend strictly to the Sabbath, often reproved 
open sin, and denied myself of what the world calls plea- 
sure. I was so fast set in my way, that I thought I should 
certainly go to heaven ; and if at any time I was overtaken 
by sin, I would endeavour to mend my pace, and pray 
more frequently. I cannot say I was always without 
doubts ; for often, under Methodist preaching, my poor 
foundation would shake, especially under the preaching 
of dear brother George Shadford, and I would scarcely 
recover my hope for many days : then I would be tempted 
to think they were a deluded people, and I would go among 
them no more : but still I was drawn again and again. 
I stood in a manner between the children of God and the 
world, When I was with the people of God, I would 



1775.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



35 



endeavour to confute them ; and when I was among their 
enemies, I pleaded their cause. 

" One day, being at a distance from home, I met with a 
zealous Methodist exhorter. He asked me if I was born 
again. I told him I had a hope that I was. Do you 
know, said he, that your sins are forgiven ? No, replied I, 
neither do I expect that knowledge in this world. I per- 
ceive, said he, that you are in the broad road to hell, and 
if you die in this state you will be damned. The Scripture, 
said I, tells us that the tree is known by its fruit ; and our 
Lord likewise condemns rash judgment. What have you 
seen or known of my life that induces you to judge me in 
such a manner ? I pity you, said I, and turned my back 
on him : but I could not easily forget the words of that pious 
young man, for they were as spears running through me. 

" In this state I continued till June, 1775. The blessed 
morning I shall never forget ! In the night I went to bed 
as usual, and slept till daybreak : just as I awoke, I was 
alarmed by an awful voice, ' Awake, sinner, for you are 
not prepared to die.' This was as strongly impressed on 
my mind as if it had been a human voice as loud as thun- 
der. I was instantly smitten with conviction in a manner 
I had not been before. I started from my pillow, and cried 
out, Lord, have mercy on my soul ! As it w r as about the 
commencement of the late unhappy war, and there was to 
be a general review that day near my house, I had pro- 
mised myself much satisfaction ; for I was a professed 
friend to the American cause : however, instead of giving 
my attendance, I passed the morning in solitude ; and in 
the afternoon went out and heard a Methodist sermon. In 
sorrow I went, and in sorrow returned ; and in sorrow the 
night passed away. None but those who have experienced 
the like exercises can form an idea of what I underwent 
for several days. 

" The enmity of my heart seemed to rise higher and 
higher. On the Tuesday following, in the afternoon, I 
heard Mr. Daniel Ruff preach ; and was so oppressed that 
I was scarcely able to support my burden. After preaching 
I called in with D. R. at Mrs. Gough's, and stayed till 
about nine o'clock. On my way home, being much dis- 
tressed, I alighted from my horse in a lonely wood, and 
bowed my knees before the Lord : I sensibly felt two 



36 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1775. 



spirits striving with me. The good Spirit set forth to my 
inmost mind the beauties of religion ; and I seemed almost 
ready to lay hold on my Saviour. O unbelief, soul-damn- 
ing sin ! it kept me from my Jesus. Then would the 
enemy rise up on the other hand, and dress religion in as 
odious a garb as possible ; yea, he seemed, in a moment 
of time, to set the world and the things of it in the most 
brilliant colours before me ; telling me, all these things 
should be mine if I would give up my false notions and 
serve him. His temptations, of a truth, might be compared 
to a sweeping rain. I continued on my knees a consider- 
able time, and at last began to give way to the reasoning 
of the enemy. My tender feelings abated, and my tears 
were gone ; my heart was hard, but I continued on my 
knees in a kind of meditation ; and at length addressed my 
Maker thus : Lord, spare me one year more, and by that 
time I can put my worldly affairs in such a train that I can 
serve thee. It seemed as if I felt the two spirits with me. 
The answer was, ' Now is the accepted time.' I then 
pleaded for six months, but was denied — one month, no — 
I then asked for one week ; the answer was, ' This is the 
time.' For some time the devil was silent, till I was denied 
one week in his service ; then it was be shot a powerful 
dart. ' The God/ said he, ' you are attempting to serve is 
a hard Master ; and I would have you to desist from your 
endeavour.' Carnal people know very little of this kind of 
exercise: but it was as perceptible to me as if 1 had been 
conversing with two persons face to face. As soon as this 
powerful temptation came, I felt my heart rise sensibly (I 
do not say with enmity) against my Maker, and immediately 
I arose from my knees with these words, ' I will take my 
own time, and then I will serve thee.' I mounted my 
horse with a hard unbelieving heart, unwilling to submit 
to Jesus. O what a good God had I to deal with ! I might 
in justice have been sent to hell. 

" I had not rode a quarter of a mile, before the Lord met 
me powerfully with these words, ' These three years have 
I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree ; and find none.' 
And then the following words were added, ' I have come 
once more to offer you life and salvation, and it is the last 
time : choose or refuse.' 1 was instantly surrounded with 
a divine power : heaven and hell were disclosed to my view, 



1775.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



37 



and life and death were set before me. I do believe if I 
had rejected this call, mercy would have been for ever 
taken from me. Man hath power to choose or refuse in 
religious matters ; otherwise God could have no reason- 
able service from his creatures. I knew the very instant 
when I submitted to the Lord, and was willing that Christ 
should reign over me : I likewise knew the two sins which 
I parted with last, pride and unbelief. I threw the reins 
of my bridle on my horse's neck, and putting my hands 
together, cried out, Lord, I submit. I was less than no- 
thing in my own sight ; and was now, for the first time, 
reconciled to the justice of God. The enmity of my heart 
was slain — the plan of salvation was open to me — I saw a 
beauty in the perfections of the Deity, and felt that power 
of faith and love that I had been a stranger to before." 



CHAPTER II. 

" After I found this pearl of great price, my soul was 
so exceedingly happy, that I seemed as if I wanted to take 
wing and fly away to heaven. Although alone in an un- 
frequented wood, I was constrained to sound forth the 
praise of my Redeemer. I thought I should not be 
ashamed to publish it to the ends of the earth. As I 
drew near to the house the servants heard me, and 
came to meet me at the gate in great surprise. The stars 
seemed as so many seraphs going forth in their Maker's 
praise. I called the family together for prayer, but my 
prayer was turned into praise. 

" About midnight I lay down to rest ; but my soul was 
so happy in God I scarcely wished for sleep ; however, at 
length my eyes were closed ; but behold ! about daybreak 
I awoke, and was strongly tempted by the devil ; ' !' said 
the adversary, 4 where is your religion now ? It was only 
a dream.' I started from my pillow — I remembered the 
time and place where I received the blessing : and was 
enabled to repel that temptation. Again said he, ' It is all 
a delusion.' This assault pained me to the heart. Not 
feeling as I had done, I began to conclude perhaps it might 
be so, and betook myself to the fields and woods under 



3S 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1775. 



deep distress. I frequently bowed my knees before the 
Lord ; and, blessed be his adorable name, about nine in 
the morning my beloved Master visited my heart with his 
love. And I think I received as great a manifestation as 
at the first. This visit was attended with an impression to 
go to such a place, and declare to all who might be there 
w 7 hat great things the Lord had done for me. I went to the 
house, got my horse, and set out. When I arrived at the 
place, I found a Methodist preacher and several of my ac- 
quaintance ; and it was strongly impressed on my mind to 
deliver my message. I sat down among them, but the 
cross was too heavy. I sat hours, and grieved the blessed 
Spirit till I was brought under heavy trials ; yea, deep dis- 
tress of soul ; and in that way I returned home. 

" For the good of others, 1 shall speak of a few days' 
exercise on this occasion. The blessed Redeemer left me, 
or rather hid his face from me : and I had to wade through 
deep waters. I fasted ajafd prayed till I was almost reduced 
to a skeleton ; but did not open my mouth to any one. I 
was sinking into desperation. ! how powerfully was I 
harassed by the devil, day and night ! The Saturday fol- 
lowing I was walking through the fields ; all nature was 
clothed with beauty and verdure ; but I could discover no 
charms in aught around me ; I was under the deepest ex- 
ercises of mind, and severely tempted of the devil. 'Ah,' 
suggested he, ' where is your God now V He thrust 
atheism and deism against me ; and thus suggested to my 
mind, ' You see you have been deluded ; and if you will 
now take my advice, you will deny every pretension to this 
religion. The Methodists are a set of enthusiasts, and 
you have now a proof of this.' Then with what splendour 
was the world exhibited to my imagination : 'All these 
things,' suggested he, ' will I give you if you will deny that 
God you have been attempting to serve, and pray to him 
no more.' I was sunk as low as I could possibly be ; for 
my mind was encompassed with darkness, and the most 
severe distress. 1 was afraid my lips would be forced open 
to deny the God who made me. Glory, glory to my Lord ! 
who again gave me a view of an opening eternity, and a 
sense of his dread majesty ; the sight of which brought 
me into the dust, prostrate with my face to the ground, 
where I lay for a considerable time with language similar 



1775J 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



39 



to this, If 1 perish, it shall be at thy feet, crying for mercy. 
Thus I lay till I recovered a gleam of hope that I should 
be saved at last. 

" I arose from the earth, and advancing toward the house 
in deep thought, I came to this conclusion, that I would 
exclude myself from the society of men, and live in a cell 
upon bread and water, mourning out my days for having 
grieved my Lord. I went into my room, and sat in one 
position till nine o'clock. I then threw myself on the bed, 
and slept till morning. Although it was the Lord's day,. I 
did not intend to go to any place of worship ; neither did I 
desire to see any person, but wished to pass my time away 
in total solitude. I continued reading the Bible till eight, 
and then, under a sense of duty, called the family together 
for prayer. As I stood with a book in my hand, in the 
act of giving out a hymn, this thought powerfully struck 
my mind, 'It is not right for you to keep your fellow-crea- 
tures in bondage ; you must let the oppressed go free.' I 
knew it to be that same blessed voice which had spoken to 
me before — till then I had never suspected that the prac- 
tice of slave-keeping was wrong ; I had not read a book 
on the subject, nor been told so by any — I paused a mi- 
nute, and then replied, ' Lord, the oppressed shall go free.' 
And I was as clear of them in my mind, as if I had never 
owned one. I told them they did not belong to me, and 
that I did not desire their services without making them 
a compensation : I was now at liberty to proceed in wor- 
ship. After singing, I kneeled to pray. Had I the tongue 
of an angel, I could not fully describe what I felt : all my 
dejection, and that melancholy gloom which preyed upon 
me, vanished in a moment, and a divine sweetness ran 
through my whole frame. * 

* In how many instances in the course of our experience is the 
truth of the declaration of Solomon demonstrated: k ' A man's heart 
deviseth his way ; but the Lord directeth his steps ?" Such is our short- 
sightedness, that we should often seek death in the error of our ways, 
did not our heavenly Father frustrate our designs and lead us in a way 
which we knew not. These remarks were suggested by the following 
reflections, found in a manuscript note to his printed journal, which ap- 
pears to have been written but a short time before his death : — 

" I have since clearly seen the goodness of God in preparing me for 
future usefulness : I was a babe, and knew very little of the insinuations 
of our powerful foe. I shall always have an aversion to the practice of 



40 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1775. 



" I had now no desire to confine myself to a cell, but 
wished to spread my Redeemer's glory to the ends of the 
world. I bless the Lord for leading me safely through 
such fiery trials ! My late affliction of mind was for my 
good. It was God, not man, that taught me the impro- 
priety of holding slaves : and I shall never be able to praise 
him enough for it. My very heart has bled, since that, for 
slave-holders, especially those who make a profession of 
religion ; for I believe it to be a crying sin. In the forenoon 
I attended Church, but I could not find what I wanted. 
In the afternoon I went to hear the Methodists ; and some- 
thing told me, * These are the people.' I was so happy in 
the time of preaching, that I could conceal it no longer; 
so I determined to choose God's people for my people, and 
returned home rejoicing. 

"A few days after, I attended a class meeting on Deer 
Creek for the first time, and was convinced it was a pru- 
dential institution ; and my heart was more than ever 
united to this community. I told brother H., a pious man, 
what the Lord had done for me. I now began again to 
be pressed in spirit to visit my friends and neighbours ; 
and especially some particular families who lay with weight 
on my mind. The first visit I made, the man of the house 
was much enraged against me ; but the Lord gave me one 
or two of his children. Shortly after, I visited another 
family ; and the master was brought to cry for mercy on 
his knees before the Lord. The third was nearly twenty 
miles off ; I seemed to go with confidence, and got there 
a little before night : I told him what God had done for 
me, and desired he would send out and call in the neigh- 
holding our fellow-creatures in abject slavery. It was the blessed God 
that taught me the rights of man. I can now tell the present and rising 
generation that their privileges are very great .; formerly in this country 
darkness was all around, and now gospel light breaks forth in every di- 
rection. Formerly the unregenerate were in ignorance ; but now they 
have no cloak for their sins. The magnitude of a crime depends 
greatly upon the light we sin against. I shall not soon forget my solitary 
wanderings in search of a suitable place where I could be excluded from 
the world. My plan seemed to be, to sell my property and put it to use, 
and have one person employed that I could confide in, to bring me, and 
do for me, what was really necessary. I had opened my mind to no 
one. When the blessed God brought me through these trials, all 
my schemes were afloat, and I was far from desiring to hide myself in 
a corner." 



1775.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



41 



hours, and I would pray with and for them. The person 
did so, and after prayer I was obliged, for the first time, to 
open my mouth by way of exhortation ; and the Lord filled 
it, and sent his arrows to the hearts of three sinners, one 
of whom slept very little that night ; and -another followed 
me nearly sixteen miles the next day. 

" Shortly after I was brought into gospel liberty, I 
thought it my duty to open religious meetings in several 
places, principally at my own house, attd at the house of 
my brother John, where the blessed work of God broke out, 
and I took down the names of those who were awakened 
and converted, and who expressed a wish to unite together. 
Though I had not yet joined the Methodists, I was con- 
siderably acquainted with them, had read some of Mr. 
Wesley's writings, and saw clearly that religious people 
ought to unite together. I formed a society of about thirty, 
which I generally met weekly, and several of them were 
happy in God. I invited Mr. Rodda, a Methodist preacher 
with whom I had met, to come and preach a sermon : he 
did, and after preaching I told him there was a people 
prepared for him, that I thought him more capable of taking 
care of them than myself, and that if he would take them 
in, and give them regular preaching, I would deliver them 
up to his charge, which he accordingly did. The next day 
he told me I must travel with him, which I did for about 
nine days : he preached, and I exhorted after him. I then 
told him I must return home : when he asked why, I replied 
that I was not disposed to be a travelling preacher. 

" It was now the enemy suggested that there was no 
other way for me to prevent or get clear of those itinerating 
impressions but to alter my condition in life. The thought 
was so pleasing, that I employed carpenters to put an addi- 
tion to my house. I received a letter from Mr. Rodda to 
meet him in Baltimore ; I did so, and after staying with 
him a few days, he told me that he wanted to stay in town 
a few weeks, and he wished I would take his circuit, and 
he would meet me at such a place. I attended every 
appointment for- which I engaged, and we had precious 
seasons ; but instead of meeting Mr. R. at the appointed 
place, I cut across, and started for home : I had about fifty 
miles to go. I called at the house of a pious old gentle- 
man for some refreshments : he looked me in the face, and 



42 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1775. 



said, 4 Are you the young man that was with Mr. Rodda ?' 
I told him I was. 'Where are you going?' said he: 
1 Home.' I replied. ' What are you going home for V 4 I do 
not intend to be a travelling preacher,' I replied. ' From 
every thing that I can understand,' said he, ' God has called 
you to that work, and if you reject that call he will pursue 
you.' I replied, ' I cannot help it ; I do not intend to be a 
travelling preacher.' 

" I again attended class for the second time at Mr. D.'s ; 
and as they had not heard what had happened to me, some 
of them were fearful that I had come in to spy out their 
liberties. I arose from my seat. and. for the first time 
among the [Methodists, publicly declared what the Lord 
had done for me. A divine kindling ran through the 
whole house ; and we had a blessed meeting. The leader 
offered to give up his paper to me ; but I refused, saying, 
I would visit them as often as I could ; and so returned 
home praising God. 

" I felt an impression to go to that brother I have before 
mentioned, who was raised from the jaws of death: he was 
in a seeking way; but did not profess the faith of assurance. 
I begged of him to call a meeting in his own house, and 
I found great freedom to speak, and appointed another 
meeting ; about forty people gathered ; and while I was 
speaking, the power of the Lord came down in a wonderful 
manner : nearly half the poor sinners that were present 
were struck to the floor, and cried for mercy to such a 
degree that they were heard at a great distance. After 
the meeting was over, many continued crying for mercy. 

" The next morning a gentleman who lived not far off 
came to the house to beat me : soon after he entered he 
began to swear, affirming I would spoil his negroes. I 
told him if he did not leave off swearing, God would send 
his soul to hell. He replied, ' If I said that again he would 
level me to the floor. ' I assured him I would reprove him 
whenever he took the Lord's name in vain. He then rose 
up and struck me on the side of the face, and repeated his 
blows. There were five of us in the house, my brother, 
his overseer, mvself, and two enemies. I was afraid we 
should have had a general battle. My brother was only 
awakened; his overseer had no religion, beyond a zeal 
for the truth, and such a love for my brother and myself, 



1775.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



43 



that he would almost have laid down his life for us. My 
mind was perfectly calm, and my soul so happy that I 
scarcely felt his blows. I saw the Lord's hand in my pre- 
servation ; for though he was in so violent a rage, I had 
not been exhorting many minutes (with tears) before he 
was as quiet as a lamb : and he and his man, bidding us 
good morning, went away. Dear man ! not long after, he 
was taken into an awful eternity. 

" I now began to hold evening meetings in different 
places, several times in a week : and united those who 
were awakened into a kind of society ; and several, I trust, 
were happily united to Jesus. O! what sweet times I 
used to have. Frequently we have continued singing, 
praying, and praising God till after midnight. Many of my 
relations expressed great sorrow for me ; but glory to God L 
I delighted in the cross of my Saviour. I was assaulted by 
many inward conflicts from the devil and the corruptions of 
my own heart ; but Jesus was precious to me. 

" I had an appointment one Lord's day, but before I got 
there a company of Belial's children gathered to prevent 
the meeting ; but, blessed be God, I was enabled to speak 
boldly ; and although some raged and threatened me, my 
faith was so strong I did not believe they could hurt me. 
I shall never forget that day ; it was a time of rejoicing to 
my poor soul ! that I may always give glory to my Lord ! 

" I was determined I would have nothing to do with the 
unhappy war ; it was contrary to my mind, and grievous 
to my conscience, to have any hand in shedding human 
blood. Accordingly I was brought before the officers at a 
general muster, because I refused to meet, as usual, to learn 
the art of war. The general officer called me aside : we 
sat down together, and he asked me why I refused to mus- 
ter as I used to do. I told him that a recital of the great 
things God had lately done for me would, perhaps, be the 
best answer I could give him. I then in a plain manner 
related to him my experience, and the happy state of my 
mind, Moreover, I told him that it was useless for me to 
learn a trade which I never intended to follow, and assured 
him, that it was not from any disaffection to my country's 
cause, but conscience, and a conviction that there was a 
greater work for me to engage in. My experience seemed 
to take some hold on his mind, and he said he did not 



44 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1775. 



blame me at all, but he was sorry to lose me from the com- 
pany, and he could not exempt me ; so I was called before 
the company, and I sat on my horse and exhorted more 
than a thousand people, while the tears flowed down my 
cheeks : however, a court marshal sat on my case, and laid 
a fine of twelve dollars and a half, yearly, but they never 
called for the fine, and I have never since been troubled 
with their military works. 

" It was impressed on my mind to have some conversa- 
tion with Mr. W , the minister of our parish. He had 

been the means of keeping me from God and his people 
for a long time. We had a long discourse in the vestry 
chamber, before the vestry ; where I told him what God 
had done for me. He desired to know who gave me au- 
thority to hold meetings in his parish ? I told him I did 
not do it either for money or honour ; that while there were 
sinners in his parish, and the Lord pressed it on my mind, 
I should call them to repentance. 4 You have no right to 
do it,' said he, 6 unless you are ordained.' The love of 
God constraineth me, said I, and I must open my mouth 
in his cause. Having tasted his goodness, I have a long- 
ing desire that my neighbours should be made happy too. 
After a conversation of nearly two hours on the new birth, 
finding his mind disturbed, I told him in a plain manner 
what I thought of his doctrine, and what effect it formerly 
had on me, and so our meeting ended. After I withdrew 
to my home, being young in the way, very few to strengthen 
and many to weaken my hands, I was sorely tempted of 
Satan to give up my confidence in the Lord. Under heavy 
affliction of mind I withdrew, and wrestled in prayer till the 
Lord visited me and dispersed every doubt and every fear; 
giving me these words for my comfort, ' Fear not, I am with 
you, and will support you under all your trials.' O what 
consolatory streams flowed into my heart ! and how was I 
strengthened and enabled to rejoice in the Lord ! " 

Mr. Garrettson observes that he has been thus particular 
in relating the exercises of his mind for the benefit of young 
preachers who may hereafter be induced to engage in the 
same work. And is it to be wondered at that the grand 
adversary of souls should thrust so sore at him who became 
an instrument of so great injury to his tyrannical kingdom ! 
Perhaps it is not too much to say that of all the Methodist 



1775.1 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



45 



preachers raised up in that day, there were none more de- 
voted to the work, more zealous and useful, than the subject 
of this memoir. Being at the same time young in Christian 
experience, not having many examples before him of those 
similarly situated, he had not the many helps which are now 
generally afforded to young ministers of the gospel by the 
conversation and counsel of the aged and deeply expe- 
rienced. 

What reason have we of the present generation of 
preachers, as well as the more private Christians, to be 
thankful to God for the various helps with which we are 
favoured. The experience of our fathers instructs us ; 
their example stimulates us ; and the truths they delivered 
guide us safely on in our perilous course : while, if we 
imitate their example in their entire devotion to the cause 
of their divine Master, no doubt but we shall participate in 
their reward. 

Notwithstanding the natural aversion which it is appa- 
rent Mr. Garrettson felt to enter the field of itinerant 
labour, the evident tokens of divine approbation which 
attended the commencement of his efforts tended to remove 
his scruples, until his opposition was entirely subdued by 
the perpetual and powerful inward calls of the Holy Spirit 
to this work. Call not this enthusiasm. The sequel of 
his life, so abundant in labours, so rich in success, refutes 
the slander, and confirms the assumption that he was called 
of God, and set apart by the Holy Ghost for the work of 
the ministry. It was from a consciousness of this call that 
Mr. Garrettson was enabled to go forward, and willingly 
devote himself to this labour ; and which so fortified his 
soul against the assaults of temptation that, though he had 
to struggle hard, he finally overcame them all. Hence 
also arose that sweet peace of mind of which he so often 
speaks, notwithstanding the violence of his inward con- 
flicts. To have "fightings without and fears within," is 
perfectly consistent with a consciousness of the favour of 
God, and is therefore common to the experience of all true 
Christians, and more especially to Christian ministers. 
Hence he says : 

" I found great liberty of speech, and the word was 
blessed to many souls, for the Lord greatly assisted me, 
and I had sweet refreshing seasons. how happy might 



46 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1775. 



I have been, had I guarded against my powerful adversary ! 
but I had not been on the circuit more than fifteen days, 
before I gave way to his suggestions, and concluding that 
I was not called to this work, I left the circuit under deep 
dejection, and returned home, determined I would never 
attempt it again. It was suggested that the more I went 
among the Methodists, particularly the preachers, the more 
my mind would be distressed about travelling. I was still 
willing to speak occasionally about home ; but to go 
through the world, I knew not where, was a burden, as I 
thought, too heavy for me to endure. 

" 'Tis not in my power to give a full account of my 
exercises from the fall till the following spring. It may, 
however, be necessary to touch on a few particulars. For 
about four months I spent my time in prayer, reading and 
such like excercises, except when I was from home, at 
preaching or holding meetings myself. The idea of tra- 
velling, and preaching the gospel, was continually held up 
to my view. Frequently when riding or walking, I was 
drawn out on divine subjects, and at times the Bible 
seemed all open to me : it was not uncommon for me to 
preach in my sleep. One night the whole world of sinners 
seemed to be exhibited, as it were, in the air, suspended by 
a slender thread, and the dismal pit beneath them. I saw 
them careless and unconcerned, in all kinds of ungodly 
practices, as secure as if in no sort of danger ; in my sleep 
I began to cry aloud to convince them of their danger, till 
I aroused my brother, who then awoke me ; I was sitting 
up in my bed, trembling and as wet with sweat as if I had 
been dipped in a river. Although I lived so abstemiously, 
I had very little happiness, except at those times when I 
felt a degree of willingness to labour for my Lord. I have 
frequently stood astonished, wept and mourned in secret 
before the Lord, and entreated him to have some one else, 
that was more sensible and capable than myself ; looking 
around in my mind and nominating such and such persons 
whom I conceived to be more fit for the ministry ; saying, 
How can it be, that such an unworthy, ignorant being 
should be set apart for so great a work ? When on my 
way to my occasional appointments, I would promise in 
my mind, that if the Lord attended his word with great 
power, I would consent to give up and labour for him. 



1775.1 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



47 



And at such times I have had great displays of the good- 
ness of God, and have seen sinners weeping all around ; 
but although ray mind at those seasons was resolved, 
unbelief would again assault and overpower me. 

In the month of March my conflicts were so great 
I almost sank under them. The ungodly among my 
acquaintances knew not what was the matter with me ; 
some would ask if I was sick, for I was much worn away. 
Others would say behind by back, He will come to nothing. 
I believe I had a more severe travail of soul before I sub- 
mitted to be an itinerant preacher than I had gone through 
for justifying grace. One day, being almost weary of life, 
and under deep dejection, I thought if the Lord would 
manifest his will, I would through grace obey. I was next 
led to inquire how I was to expect this desired favour. 
I kneeled down by the bed and prayed to the Lord, by 
some means or other, to make a discovery to me, in the 
clearest manner, of what he would have me to do. I arose 
from my, knees without any particular answer, much bur- 
dened and greatly distressed. I threw myself on the bed 
again, and in less than two minutes I was in a sound sleep. 
I dreamed I saw the devii come in at the door, and advance 
toward me ; I thought a good angel came and spake to 
me, saying, ' Will you go and preach the gospel V I 
replied, 1 1 am unworthy, I cannot go.' Instantly the devil 
laid hold of my hand, and I began to struggle to get from 
him ; I saw but one way that I could escape, and that was 
a very narrow one. The good angel said to me, ' There 
is a dispensation of the gospel committed to you, and .wo 
unto you, if you preach not the gospel.' I struggled for 
some time to get from him, but in vain ; at length I cried 
out, ' Lord, send by whom thou wilt, I am willing to go 
and preach thy gospel.' No sooner had I thus submitted, 
than I saw the devil fly, as it were, through the end of the 
house in a flame of lire. I awoke ; immediately every 
cloud was dispersed, and my soul w T as enraptured with the 
love of my Saviour. I wanted now to converse with some 
experienced person on the subject; my w 7 ay now appeared 
so open, I thought I should never have any more doubts to 
contend with. I believe it was the next day I received a 
letter from brother D. RufT, desiring me to come and take 
the circuit a few weeks while he went to Philadelphia. 



48 



LIFE OF REV. F> GARRETTSON» [1775 



I had no doubt but the Lord directed him to write thus. 
Before the day arrived that I was to set off, the enemy 
strove again to prevent me ; telling me I was deluded, 
that it was only my own fancy, or the vanity of my own 
heart. After I set out, I was pursued to that degree I was 
ready to desire my horse might throw me, and put an end 
to my life ; or maim me so that I might not be able to go 
on. In the evening I got to brother D. Ruff's, in Cecil, 
where he had an appointment for me ; but my exercises 
were so severe that I could say but little. The next day 
he left me, and I concluded to go on the circuit. Of all 
creatures in the world, I have the greatest reason to be 
thankful to the Lord, for his tender care of me, a poor 
weak rebel against him. At the first and second places 
to which I went, the Lord was powerfully present ; and 
I believe good was done. I was now quite willing to be 
an exhorter ; but thought I would not take a text. I 
had not, however, travelled far before I had a text suggested 
to me, and I refused, till my gift of exhortation was almost 
taken away ; and my mind was amazingly distressed 
again. 

" One Sabbath I came to a place near Choptank bridge, 
where I again refused to give out a text, and it pleased 
the Lord to hide his face, so that I was unable to speak 
with any degree of freedom. I went to my afternoon's 
appointment very low both in mind and body, having 
taken very little refreshment for several days. I deter- 
mined if a text opened to me, I would give it out boldly, 
and trust in the Lord. It was so, and I gave out, ' Behold 
the man.' I shall never forget the afternoon ; it was a 
time of power to me and many others ; the whole Bible 
seemed open to me. The next day I went to my appoint- 
ment, with some willingness to be a preacher. I gave out 
this text, 1 The great day of his wrath is come, and who 
shall be able to stand.' I endeavoured to show, as I could, 
how awful that day would be ; who would, and who would 
not be able to stand, with the consequences to each class. 
The power of God in a very remarkable manner came 
down among the people, and hardened sinners were 
brought to cry for mercy. When almost spent, I stopped ; 
but the people continued praying. O, it was a memorable 
season ! my soul was happy, and my heart humbled. I 



1775.] LIFE OF REV, F. GAR RETT SOX, 



49 



was now willing to be a preacher, and thought, Surely I 
shall never doubt again. 

" When brother D. Ruff returned, he took the circuit, 
and I went out to open a new one. As I passed along 
through Tuckeyhoe Xeck, I called at a house and asked 
the woman if she wanted to hear the word of the Lord 
preached ; if she did, to send and call in her neighbours : 
she did so, and I found great freedom. I gave out that I 
would preach again the next day. The man of the house 
was an officer of rank, and it being a day Gf general mus- 
tering, he marched up all the company, and I spoke to 
hundreds with freedom ; many tears were shed, and seve- 
ral convicted, one of whom has since become a preacher, 
I continued several days in the Xeck, and my labours 
were attended with success.* 

" I again met brother D. Ruff in Cecil county, where 
we had a quarterly meeting, and from thence we set out for 
Harford. He solicited me not to fail attending the Balti- 
more conference. On the Lord's day following, an ap- 
pointment was made for me to preach in my native place ; 
a multitude gathered, among whom were many of my old 
friends and relations, which made the cross very heavy, 
I gave out my old text, 4 The great day of his wrath is 
come, and who shall be able to stand V Just as I had 
entered on the subject, I fainted under the cross, and fell 
to the ground, (I was preaching under the trees,) where 
I lay till water was brought and thrown on me, when I 
immediately recovered and was enabled to rise. I then 
proceeded, the subject opened to me, and we had a solemn 
season. Tongue cannot express or pen describe what I 
felt. Some of the careless ones said, ; He is not able to 
stand.' It seemed as if I could have laid down my life 

* "After I left brother Ruff. I was wandering along in search of an 
opening for the word, in deep thought and prayer, that my way might 
be prosperous. I came opposite agate, the impression was sadden — turn 
in, this is the place where you are to begin. It was the house of Rev. 
E. Cooper's mother, and the officer was his stepfather, Ezekiel was 
about thirteen years of age, and, as he has since informed me, he re- 
ceived a divine touch which he never lost, and some years after, he was 
happily brought out to testify of the forgiving love of Jesus, was called 
to the work of the ministry, and to eminent usefulness in the church of 
God. Tnere is great cause of thankfulness for my feeble efforts in this 
little excursion." 

3 



50 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. f 1776, 



for my relatives and neighbours, had it been required. 
Thanks be to God, I trust some good was done. The next 
day I was most severely pursued by the enemy of souls. 
I was young, and very feeble both in body and mind, and 
greatly feared lest I should fall under the hand of my power- 
ful foe ; but the blessed God had an eye upon me for 
good. On Monday I had a severe conflict about attending 
the conference. The exercise of my mind was too great 
for my emaciated frame. I betook myself to my bed and 
lay till twelve o'clock ; then I rose up and set off*. I got 
into Baltimore about sunset. The conference was to begin 
the next day : I attended, passed through an examination, 
was admitted on trial, and my name was, for the first time, 
classed among the Methodists ; and I received of Mr. Ran- 
kin a written license. My mind continued so agitated, for I 
still felt an unwillingness to be a travelling preacher, that 
after I went from the preaching house to dinner, I again 
fainted under my burden, and sank to the floor. When I 
recovered I found myself in an upper chamber on the bed, 
surrounded by several preachers. I asked where I had 
been, as I seemed to be lost to all things below, appearing 
to have been in a place from whence I did not desire to 
return. The brethren joined in prayer, and my soul was 
so happy, while every thing wore so pleasing an aspect, 
that the preachers appeared to me more like angels than 
men. And I have praised the Lord ever since, that, 
though unworthy of a seat among them, I was ever united 
to this happy family." 



CHAPTER III, 

" I was appointed to travel in the Frederick circuit with 
Mr. Rodda, and as the conference ended on Friday, I set 

out, arrived at Mr. W n's, and the next day got into my 

circuit. I preached on the Lord's day with very little free- 
dom or happiness to my own soul, the enemy still pursuing 
me with his fiery darts. At times I had sweet communion 
with my blessed Lord ; but a consciousness of my weak- 
ness and inability for the great work in which I had engaged 
caused my hands to hang down. I was a young soldier, 



1776.1 



LIFE OF REV. F. CARRETTSON. 



51 



and knew but little about exercising the Christian armour. 
The goodness of God was great to me, in opening the 
hearts of the people to receive and bear with my weak- 
nesses. 

" One day, on my way to my appointment, my difficulties 
appeared so great that I turned my horse, three different 
times, toward home. I was in a solitary wood, entirely 
alone ; I wept, I mourned, and prayed at the feet of my 
Lord, and was finally encouraged to go forward, and a 
sweet and powerful meeting we had. Sometimes when I 
have been at the appointed place, and the people assem- 
bling, I have been tempted to hide myself, or wish that I 
was sick ; at other times I have envied the happiness of 
crawling insects on the face of the earth ; and I have con- 
stantly found that the greater cross it was to speak for God, 
the greater was the blessing, both to myself and the people. 
In these cases I seldom opened my mouth to speak in public 
but the power of the Lord was sensibly felt. My Bible, 
at particular times, would appear so small that I could not 
find a text. I remember one day a congregation was ga- 
thered, and I was alone, under deep exercise ; and it ap- 
peared as if there was not one verse in the Bible that I could 
speak on : all on a sudden, while I was on my knees be- 
fore the Lord, the following text was powerfuly applied : 
4 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because he hath 
anointed me to preach glad tidings to the meek, to bind up 
the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and 
the opening of the prison to them that are bound,' Isa. lxi, 
1. I immediately met the assembly, and after -singing and 
prayer, gave out the text, and the power of God descended 
in an extraordinary manner. Previously to this, the people 
were so hardened that we had only four members in that 
place ; but before I left the house, twenty, who seemed 
to be that day broken in heart, were added to the society. 
We continued singing and praying till nearly sunset, and 
there appeared to be very few in the congregation whose 
hearts were not touched ; my voice being almost lost in the 
cries of the distressed. O blessed be God ! this was a 
day of marrow and fat things to my poor heart. 

" Some time after I was requested to appoint a watch- 
night, to which I consented. Mr. Rodda was displeased 
that I had not consulted him ; but I was innocent, know- 



§2 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 1776 



ing very little of the discipline. Many people came toge 
ther, and many of the children of the devil were angry and 
stoned the house ; but the Lord was powerfully present. 
His people had a little paradise ; and I trust there were 
several new-born souls, and some poor sinners brought to 
tremble. 

" 1 continued six months in this circuit, and, blessed be 
God ! many were added to the society ; his children much 
quickened ; and many happily brought into the kingdom 
of grace. My heart was closely united to the people, and 
they were remarkably kind to me. I thought it a great fa- 
vour to be received as a preacher : and I verily believe the 
Lord inclined the hearts of the people to overlook my many 
weaknesses and want of knowledge ; and for the sake of 
his dear Son in a small measure owned my efforts. 

" I think it was in November I was sent to Fairfax 
circuit, where I stayed three months. I had many happy 
moments, and preached the gospel with freedom. I 
cannot say I met with much success, neither was I so 
powerfully harassed by temptations. I was now better 
acquainted with Satan's devices ; and I trust had a more 
steady confidence in my blessed Saviour. I began to 
preach the word more freely, and was not so easily shaken 
with respect to my call to the ministry. I was now entirely 
willing to be a travelling preacher : and. blessed be God ! 
he gave me favour in the sight of the people. 

" As there were many doors open for us in New Vir- 
ginia, and several small societies formed, Mr. Rodda 
thought it expedient to send me into those parts of the 
country ; and, blessed be my God ! I found a willingness 
to go anywhere, and to do any thing that would be of the 
least service to the church of God. I bless and praise the 
Lord for his goodness to me during my stay in that part of 
his vineyard, for he wonderfully enlarged my desires after 
him ; he increased my gifts an ^ opened the hearts and 
houses of the people to receive his servant and his word. 
Many were added to the society. 

" I visited Shepherdstown, lying high up on the Poto- 
mac river. On the Lord's day I attended the church, and 
heard their minister preach on, ' Keep holy the Sabbath 
day.' Though he was a man of slow speech, I think his 
discourse took up only fifteen minutes. He said there was 



1776.3 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT30N. 



53 



no harm in civil amusements on a week day ; but they 
ought to refrain from them on the Sabbath. I had no doubt 
but his discourse was his own composition. I do not re- 
member a word about the fall of man, faith, or repentance. 
I asked liberty, and went up into the pulpit after him, and 
gave out, ' How shall we escape if we neglect so great 
salvation V Heb. ii, 3. After I had done, one of his hear- 
ers asked him what he thought of the doctrine the stranger 
had delivered. Why, said he, he seems to bring Scrip- 
ture to prove it ; it may be so, but if it is I know no- 
thing of it 

" I preached every other Sunday in the church during 
my stay in this new circuit ; and the fourth sermon there 
were as many people as could crowd into the building. 
There was a great agitation among the congregation, and 
the word took such effect on the heart of a woman that she 
cried aloud for mercy. The people, being unacquainted 
with such things, strove to get out ; but the aisle and every 
place were so crowded that they could not, unless those 
at the doors had first given way. In a few minutes the 
Lord set her soul at liberty. She clapped her hands in an 
ecstasy of joy, praised the Lord, and then quietly sat down. 
The whole congregation seemed to be lost in amazement, 
and the divine presence appeared to run through the whole 
house : most of the people were melted into tears. The 
Presbyterian minister was among the crowd, and most of 
his congregation came to hear what the babbler had to say. 
This man, with his deacon, I met on the road a few days 
after. 4 I was hearing you preach,' said he, i and I did not 
like your doctrine. 1 What was your objection ? said I. 'Why, 
it was a volley of stuff.' Well, I replied, if the Lord makes 
use of it to bring souls to himself, I wish to be thankful and 
satisfied. ' You preach perfection,' said he, ' and that I do 
not believe to be attainable in this life.' Then, said I, you 
do not hold with the doctrine of our Lord and his apostles ; 
our Lord says, ' Be ye perfect even as your Father in hea- 
ven is perfect and the apostle says, * The blood of Christ 
cleanseth from all sin.' When are we to be made perfect? 
' Not till death,' said he. Our Lord, said I, ' came to 
destroy the works of the devil ;' and do you suppose he 
will call death to his assistance ? Death in Scripture is 
called the last enemy, and we learn, that as death leaves 



54 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1778. 



us, judgment will find us ; and that there is no knowledge 
or work in the grave. And if we die in our sins, where 
the Lord is we cannot come : I want to know how death 
is to bring this about. ' Why,' said he, ' at the article of 
death sin is done away, and not till then.' The Papists 
say we must be refined by the fire of purgatory : the 
Universalists, that the last farthing will be paid in hell; and 
you say, Nay, death will do it ; but we profess to hold with 
the Holy Scriptures, which say, that ' his name shall be 
called Jesus, for he shall save the people from their sins.' 
Do you not, said I, believe that the Lord is able to wash 
and cleanse the soul from all sin one minute before death ? 
To this he agreed. And if a minute, why not a day, a 
month, yea, why not seven years ? The apostle saith, 
6 Behold, now is the accepted time ! behold, now is the 
day of salvation !' How dare any man limit the Holy One 
of Israel 1 1 1 have done with you,' cried he and his deacon, 
and so saying they turned their backs upon me.* 

" A few evenings after, I preached near his house, and 
he and his deacon were present again ; a precious season 
we had ; a great shaking among sinners, and I expect the 
heart of the minister was also softened. He came to me 
after sermon, and asked my pardon if he had said any 
thing amiss. 

" Glory to God, he enabled me to travel largely through 
that country, to preach one, two, three, and sometimes 
four sermons a day. The last sermon I preached was from 

* " I shall here observe, that many things were said on both sides, 
which I penned in my daily journal ; the substance of which I gave 
to the public, and I have since examined my daily journal, and I am 
assured of the correctness of what was said. But I have to say, we 
were both beginners in the great work of the ministry, and probably 
a few years' longer experience, and we should have been capable of 
handling the controversy more profitably. God alone is absolutely 
perfect. Among finite intelligences perfection can onlv be in degrees. 
Angels are perfect in their measure. Adam in paradise was perfect 
in his measure. Christians may be perfect in their measure, and what 
we call Christian perfection, is a high degree of piety— to love God 
with every power of the soul, and to be saved from all sin, properly 
so called. 

" The Apostle Paul describes it, ' to be enlightened, to taste the hea- 
venly gift, to partake of the Holy Ghost, to taste the good word of 
God, and the powers of the world to come.' ' The blood of Christ 
cleanses from all sin.' " 



1777.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



55 



4 Finally, brethren, farewell,' &c. This was a time not 
soon to be forgotten. A large congregation seemed to 
drink in every word ; such attention was given, and so 
much of the divine presence felt, that I continued nearly 
three hours, and then the people hung around me in such 
a manner that I could scarcely get from them, begging me 
with tears not to leave them." 

Thus ended the labours of this man of God in that part 
of the country for this conference year. And who that 
reads the preceding account of his travels, his mode of life, 
his indefatigable labours to promulgate the gospel of the 
grace of God, and witnesses at the same time the asto- 
nishing effects of his ministrations, but must glorify God in 
him ? To young preachers of the gospel in particular, 
this narrative of the manner in which Mr. Garrettson 
was called forth into the gospel field, and the various 
exercises of his mind, as well as the -encouragement afford- 
ed him by the Head of the church, must be peculiarly inte- 
resting and profitable. How different the school in which 
his mind was disciplined to u the obedience of Christ" 
and prepared to become a competent and an efficient 
"minister of the New Testament," from that in which many 
are fitted by the art and device of men ! The instrument 
was fitted for its work, and its effect was powerfully felt 
wherever it operated. 

After lodging and praying with a Quaker family " whose 
hearts the Lord touched," Mr. Garrettson attended a 
quarterly meeting at Fairfax with Mr. Rankin, and then 
went to the conference which was held at Deer. 



CHAPTER IV. 

<c Our conference this year began at Deer Creek the 
20th of May, 1777, and continued till the Friday following. 
I was greatly refreshed among the servants of God ; some 
of whom I have never seen since, nor shall again on this 
side of eternity. 

" My appointment was in Virginia, in what was called 
Brunswick circuit, with brother W. and brother T. After 
spending a few days among my relations and old friends, 



56 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1777, 



on Monday I set out for my circuit, and on Tuesday met 

the preachers at brother M r's in Fairfax : and the next 

morning we set out in company on our way. My appoint- 
ment was much to my mind, and I had a lively hope that 
my Lord would be with me, and bless my weak endea- 
vours to promote his cause. 

" We travelled several days before we met any Method- 
ists ; but the Lord befriended us, for we had happy times 
together : and had an opportunity of preaching several 
sermons before we reached our circuit ; we had a sweet 
season at the house of a good old man ; and I think we 
were providentially sent thither, not only for the benefit of 
the family, but likewise of many others. 

" June the 4th I parted with my company, and thanks 
be to God, my soul was refreshed as with new wine. The 
same day I was brought to the house of a kind widow, who 
sent out and called a company together. There was a 
young growing society in this neighbourhood. I preached 
from, ' Fear not, little flock/ &c, Luke xii, 32. From 
what I could understand, they had seldom had such a time 
of refreshing. I could say, It is good for me to be here. 
My confidence still grew stronger with respect to my call 
to the ministry. 

" On the 5th of June I got into my circuit, and on 
Saturday the 7th, began my ministry among a lively peo- 
ple. I was attacked by an officer who wanted to know my 
mind respecting fighting. I told him God had taught me 
better than to use carnal weapons against the lives of hu- 
man creatures. He intimated something about stopping 
me. I told him I was not afraid of man — that if he did 
not learn to fight with other weapons he would go to hell. 

" On Sunday, the 8th of June, I preached at brother 

I- 's to many serious people. While I was pointing 

out the gospel salvation there was a shout in the camp of 
Israel ; and after the meeting ended there was a rejoicing 
among God's people. I met the society, and was more 
than ever confirmed in my belief that the Lord had sent 
me into that part of the vineyard. I there met with a black 
boy who was happy in the Lord ; and I thought he ex- 
ceeded all the youths I had ever seen for a gift and 
power in prayer. 

" Monday, June the 9th, I preached a few miles off, 



1777.] LIFE OF REV, F. GARRETTSON, » 57 

from these words, ' Loose him, and let him go.' There 
were as many people as the house could contain. After 
preaching nearly two hours, the cries of the assembly were 
so great that I desisted. The people continued together 
a long time after, and I doubt not but several were set at 
liberty. O Jesus ! thou still increasest my faith ; thou 
givest me lively sensations of thy pardoning love ; and I 
feel that thou hast called me to the ministry of thy blessed 
word. At this meeting we were so wonderfully drawn out 
that we knew not when to part, having seldom felt the 
like. The next day I had great freedom to preach, and 
one soul was born of God. 

" Thursday, June 12th, I found liberty in preaching at 

Dr. C r's to an attentive, solemn congregation. I rode 

to Col. Taylor's, and met brother Francis Poytress. We 
held a watch-night, and I think I never had more freedom 
to speak. The word was blessed to the colonel and his 
family, and they treated me ever after more like a son than 
a stranger ; yea, I may say, more like an angel than a poor 
clod of earth. And I, on my part, shall ever respect them 
for their kindness to me. 

" The next day I again crossed the Roanoke River, and 
had great liberty to preach from these words, ' For lo, the 
winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear 
on the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and 
the voice of the turtle is heard in the land,' &c. After 
this, we had a love-feast, and many spoke freely of the 
goodness of God. In this place the people wanted to 
gain me with their kindness ; but I refused their obliging 
offers, being convinced I should do more good by wandering 
up and down the earth without any incumbrances ; and as 
for riches, I had enough to serve my purposes. The 
temptation was considerable, and pleasing to nature. Vain 
world, away with your flattery! I could rejoice in my God, 
with the testimony of a good conscience, knowing that the 
oblation was made for the good of Christ's church, which 
he purchased with his own blood. It was no time to 
think of houses and lands, &c. I passed on, rejoicing in 
God my Saviour, and was greatly encouraged in the blessed 
work. But halcyon days did not always attend me. I 
again experienced the severe bufTetings of Satan ; but my 
exercises proved a blessing to me, for my soul was humbled, 

3* 



58 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETT SON. 



[1777. 



and I was made in a measure sensible of ^the need of a 
deeper work of grace in my heart before I could be com- 
pletely happy. 

" Sunday, June 22d, in Roanoke chapel I preached to 
about rive hundred whites, and almost as many blacks who 
stood without. I found freedom of mind, and many tears 
were shed by both white and black. The next day while 
I was preaching a funeral sermon we had much of the 
divine presence. In this way I continued around the cir- 
cuit till the quarterly meeting, which was held in August, 
at Maberry's chapel. The Lord was with me, blessed my 
endeavours, and increased my love to him and his people. 
In this circuit I conversed with some deeply experienced 
Christians, and by their humble walk and heavenly con- 
versation I was much stirred up to seek a deeper work of 

grace ; especially by the experience of sister B . I 

believed there was such a thing as perfect love to be attain- 
ed in this world ; and I likewise knew I was not in pos- 
session of it : I saw a beauty in the doctrine, and preached 
it, but it was at a distance. 

"About this time the state oath began to be administered, 
and was universally complied "with, both by preachers and 
people where I was ; but I could by no means be subject 
to my rulers in this respect, as it touched my conscience 
toward God : so I was informed I must either leave the 
state, take the oath, or go to jail. I told those who came 
to tender the oath to me, that I professed myself a friend 
to my country : that I would do nothing willingly or know- 
ingly to the pre judice of it : that if they required it, I would 
give them good security of my friendly behaviour during 
my stay in the state. ' But why,' said they, 1 will you not 
take the oath ?' ' I think,' said I, 4 the oath is too binding 
on my conscience ; moreover, I never swore an oath in my 
life : and ministers of the gospel have enough to do in 
their sphere. I want in all things to keep a conscience 
void of offence, to walk in the safest way, and to do all the 
good I can in bringing sinners to God.' 

" We began to labour under heavy political trials, as it 
was a little after the commencement of what we call the 
revolutionary war, and indeed the clash of arms wag a new 
thing in our country, especially such powerful blows from 
an overgrown mother, who wanted to keep her children 



1777.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



59 



under subjection in matters wherein they thought they 
were capable of judging for themselves. It might be 
asked, Why did you not comply with the law ? From read- 
ing, my own reflection, and the teachings of the good Spirit, 
I was drawn quite away from a belief in the lawfulness of 
shedding human blood under the gospel dispensation, or 
at most it must, be in an extreme case, touching which, at 
that time, my mind was in doubt. Again, I thought the 
test oath was worded in such a way as to bind me to take 
arms whenever called on, and I felt no disposition to use 
carnal weapons. 

" Many of my friends endeavoured to persuade me to 
comply: alleging that I might be more useful among the 
people ; but it was to no purpose. The rulers said, ' You 
must leave the state.' This I cannot do, for first, the 
conference appointed me to labour in this state : and in 
the second place, I am confident that my appointment is 
approved of by my heavenly Father ; and therefore I dare 
not leave the state. 'Then,' said they, f you must go to 
prison.' That matter, I replied, I leave to the God of 
Daniel ; assured he is able to defend my cause, whether 
in or out of jail. 

" The many trials I had on this occasion drove me 
nearer to God, and, as many thought that every sermon 
would be my last, more attended than otherwise would, 
and I found much freedom to preach the word, and good 
was done. 

" At a certain place several of the rulers bound them- 
selves to put me in jail, when I came that way again : my 
friends persuaded me to decline going there; but I told 
them I could not be clear if I distrusted so good a God, 
Before I came around to that place, the Lord laid his afflict- 
ing hand on some of those ruling men who had threatened 
to imprison me ; so that when I went there, several of 
them had already made their exit into eternity! and another 
was lying at the point of death. I preached with much 
freedom, but though I had been chased for several months, 
there was none to lay the hand of violence upon me. The 
persecution from this quarter entirely subsided during my 
stay in the state. In this circuit I met with a number of 
inward and outward trials ; but I bless God that he ever 
sent me into this part of the tineyard : so that I can truly 



60 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1777. 



say that the life and conversation of many of my worthy 
friends (some of whom were older in the grace of God 
than myself) were made a great blessing to me. O ! how 
shall I make suitable returns to my God for the thousands 
of his favours. 

" In September I went to North Carolina, to travel 
Roanoke circuit, and was sweetly drawn out in the glorious 
work, though my exercises were very great, particularly 
respecting slavery.* Many times did my heart ache on 
account of the slaves in this part of the country, and many 
tears did I shed, both in Virginia and Carolina, while ex- 
hibiting a crucified Jesus to their view ; and I bless God 
that my labours were not in vain among them. I endea- 
voured frequently to inculcate the doctrine of freedom in 
a private way, and this procured me the ill will of some 
who were in that unmerciful practice. I would often set 
apart times to preach to the blacks, and adapt my discourse 
to them alone ; and precious moments have I had. While 
many of their sable faces were bedewed with tears, their 
withered hands of faith were stretched out, and their pre- 
cious souls made white in the blood of the Lamb. The 
suffering of these poor outcasts of men, through the bless- 
ing of God, drove them near to the Lord, and many of them 
were truly happy. 

" Respecting Christian perfection, I believed such a 
thing to be attainable in this life ; I therefore, both in 
public and private, contended for it, and had often felt the 

* The question of slavery becomes more and more perplexing in 
these United States. It is an evil more easily deplored than extir- 
pated. Though it is cause for much gratitude that by the influence 
of the gospel many of the slaves are made better, and their maslers 
have become more humane in their treatment of their slaves, all seem 
to agree that it is an evil much to be deprecated. It seems indeed like 
an inveterate disease of the body, the pains of which are sensibly felt, 
though not easily removed. What effect it may ultimately have on 
the body politic time alone must and will develope. 

In the present state of things in the southern states it seems una- 
vailable to contend for emancipation. The best, I think, which can 
be done to meliorate their condition is to bring, as far as possible, all, 
both master and servant, under the influence of that immutable law, 
binding on all human beings, namely, to do to others as we would 
they should do unto us in like circumstances. Let slaves and masters 
be instructed in this great principle and act under its authoritv, and it 
shall ultimately work the entire destruction of slavery itself. — Ed. 



1777.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



61 



need of it in my own soul : but I never had sucli a view 
of it in my life as while in this circuit. The Lord, in a 
very powerful and sudden manner, gave me to see and feel 
the need of this blessed work. Every heart-corruption 
was discovered to me by the blessed Spirit, at the house 
of that dear afflicted mother in Israel, Mrs. Y. I have 
had many sweet moments with that precious family ; but 
she has since gone to Abraham's bosom. This discovery 
was made to me while I was alone in the preachers' room. 
I expected in a few moments to be in eternity ; and the 
cry of my heart was, Lord, save me from inbred sin. The 
purity of God, heaven, and the law, with the impurity of 
my heart, was so disclosed to my view that I was hum- 
bled in the very dust; and expected never to enter into 
the kingdom of heaven without a greater likeness to my 
blessed Lord. I rejoiced that the cold hand of death was 
not upon me. For more than a week an earnest struggle 
continued in my heart for all the mind which was in Christ. 
My appointments were made, or I am apprehensive I should 
have declined preaching so pure a gospel till the heart- 
corruptions which I felt were washed away. The enemy 
strove very hard to rob me of my confidence ; but although 
I was at times brought very low, yet I did not let go my hold 
of the dear Redeemer, the witness of my justification, &c. 

" One day I went to my appointment, and while the 
people were gathering, I withdrew about a quarter of a 
mile from the house, and wrestled with the Lord in prayer : 
I thought I could not meet the congregation, unless I was 
delivered from my inbred sins. However, after the people 
had waited about an hour, I went to the house, but my 
struggle seemed to be at the height. I thought I would 
pray with the people and dismiss them. After prayer my 
Lord gave me this text, ' Blessed are the pure in heart, for 
they shall see God.' Never had I such freedom before 
that time, to describe, 1st, the impurity of the heart : 2dly, 
how it is to be purified : and 3dly, the blessing resulting 
therefrom— that they shall see God, While I was speaking 
of the travail of a soul for purity, all my inward distress 
vanished, and I felt a little heaven on earth. I know 
that the Lord deepened his work ; but I did not claim 
the witness of 'perfect love ;' yet my soul was happy from 
day to day. 



62 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1777. 



" From this time I began to preach the doctrine of 
Christian perfection more than ever ; the plan seemed as 
clear to me as the noon-day sun. Many were convinced 
of the need of perfect love ; and some were brought into 
the possession of it.* The word of the Lord prospered 
in the circuit ; and some of the children of Belial w T ere 
stirred up to persecute. One day a very wicked man 
came into the house while I was preaching ; he supposed 
my discourse pointed at him, and stood for a considerable 
time, swelling, and threatening in his heart that he would 
haul me down and beat me. But before the sermon was 
ended, he gave heed to the things delivered, and a spirit 
of conviction took hold of his heart : before he left the 
house he professed justifying faith ; and I trust became 
a changed man. 

" I then went to the house of a Christian man, whose 
brother, living next door, was a violent persecutor. — 
While I was at family prayer in the evening, he ran over 
with a loaded gun, and stood with it presented for a con- 
siderable time, but had not power to draw the trigger. A 
few days after, he was in a rage with his brother on account 
of his receiving the preacher, shot at him, and slightly 
wounded his body. I was very thankful I escaped him. 

" In this circuit there was a blessed gathering of souls 
into the fold of Christ : many were convinced and con- 
verted, and at the spring quarterly meeting we had some 
lively witnesses of perfect love; others were greatly moved 
to seek after that deep work of grace. Glory to God ! 
I can say I had many blessed, happy moments while tra- 
velling the Virginia and Carolina forests, endeavouring to 
gather poor lost souls to the Redeemer's fold. 

"I have often thought that the consolations afforded me 

* "What is this perfection ? It is not the perfection of God. or 
angels, nor the perfection of Adam in paradise, but it is Christian 
perfection. It consists in the extirpation of all sin, in having the 
powers and affections of the heart purified, and the whole soul filled 
with divine love. 2d How is this blessing to be attained ! As we 
are justified by faith, so are we sanctified by faith. 1. We are con- 
vinced of the need of it. 2. In general there is a sweet distress, but 
no guilt or condemnation. 3. We must bv faith receive the promises. 
Repentance disclaims all help in man. Faith lays claims to all the 
help in Christ. Repentance says, I can do nothing. Faith says. 
Through Christ Jesus strengthening- me I can do all tilings. 



1778.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON*. 



63 



were an ample compensation for all the difficulties and 
trials I met with, in wandering up and down in an ill- 
natured world. And I often reflect and bewail my back- 
wardness, when I first entered so unwillingly as a labourer 
into my Lord's vineyard. But now, thanks to his dear 
name, I go willingly, and desire cheerfully to obey all his 
commandments, and do all the little good I can to promote 
his honour and glory. 

" In May I left the people, to whom I found myself 
closely united, and in whose sight the Lord gave me great 
favour, and set out for the Leesburg conference, " 



CHAPTER V. 

" We had a comfortable conference in Leesburg, and 
May 20, 1778, I set out for my destined place. After 
preaching a few sermons, and visiting my old friends and 
relations, on the 30th of May I crossed the Chesapeake, 
and in the evening had a delightful opportunity of pressing 
the necessity of holiness on the minds of many. Blessed 
be God ! there was a shout in the camp among our blessed 
Saviour's despised followers ; and I have no doubt but 
that the Lord directed my lot into this part, of the work. 

" On Sunday I spoke in Kent preaching house with 
much liberty, and we had a sweet refreshing season. 
This was the first Methodist preaching house that was 
built on this shore. In the evening I was much drawn out 
in prayer and self-examination ; and felt the sweet beams 
of the blessed Spirit, and experienced the bliss of prayer, 
with a comfortable hope that my Lord had deepened his 
work of grace in my heart. Four preachers were appoint- 
ed by conference for the Peninsula — Brothers Hartley, 
Littlejohn, John Cooper, and myself. The enemy of souls 
had stirred up a great persecution against the Methodists. 
Brother Hartley was taken by the rulers, and put in confine- 
ment. Brother Littlejohn thought it his duty to return to Vir- 
ginia. And poor brother Cooper was too unwell to travel 
much: so that for a considerable time I was left almost alone." 

This was a season peculiarly trying to the Methodist 
preachers. War knows no mercy; and the mere circum- 



64 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1778. 



stance that the first Methodist preachers were from Eng- 
land, under the direction of Mr. Wesley, whose loyalty to 
his king and country led him to speak and write against 
the proceedings of the American provinces, was enough 
of itself to excite suspicions in the ruling party here against 
the preachers. The fact, also, as stated by Mr. Garrettson, 
that most of those who had joined the societies, and especial- 
ly the preachers, were from principle averse to war, which 
led them to refuse to bear arms in their country's defence, 
tended to strengthen the suspicion, and of course to pro- 
voke opposition against them. But the following facts, 
which are recorded in the manuscript notes to the printed 
journal by Mr. Garrettson, show that some imprudences 
on the part of those whose example should have been of 
a different character evince that these suspicions were not 
entirely without foundation. 

" To human appearance," says Mr. Garrettson, " our 
prospects were gloomy." In this place what was called a 
tory company imbodied themselves, and a backslidden 
Methodist, by the name of Chancey Clowe, who was once 
thought to be a pious man, of considerable note in the 
society, laid aside his religion, and began to raise a com- 
pany with a view to make his way through the country to 
the Chesapeake to join the British, whose fleet at that 
time lav iu the Chesapeake Bay. He succeeded in raising 
about three hundred men. He did much mischief before 
he was detected and his plans frustrated. It was not, 
however, before some blood was shed, that this mob was 
dispersed, and the leaders brought to justice. His excellen- 
cy, Cesar Rodney, at that time governor of the state, was 
friendly to religion. Our enemies were assiduous in their 
endeavours to prejudice his mind against us ; inculcating 
the idea that we were tories, and ought to be crushed as a 
body. He insisted on knowing how many of these insur- 
rectionists there were of each denomination, and when they 
found there were only two Methodists among them, the 
governor's remarks made our enemies look small before the 
court. They were all pardoned except C. Clowe, the 
leader, who was hung. This happened in the Peninsula, a 
tract of country lying between the Chesapeake and Dela- 
ware Bays, comprehending a part of Maryland, part of 
Virginia, and the whole of the Delaware state, 



1778.] 



LIFE CF RFV. F, GAR RETT SOX. 



65 



While these things were transacting among this class 
of people, Mr. Rodda, one of the British preachers, no 
doubt thinking he was doing God service, was spreading 
on his circuit the king's proclamation, and acting in several 
respects unbecoming the character of either a Christian 
or minister. He fled, however, to the bay, and employed 
a slave or slaves to take him to the British fleet, and thus 
just escaped with his life. The truth of history requires 
this record. As Philadelphia was at this time in possession 
of the British, he was taken there, and from thence to 
his native land ; and so we got clear of a backslidden 
preacher. 

" In the midst of these and many more troubles which 
might be mentioned ," says Mr. Garrettson, " God enabled 
me to go forward through good and evil report, and he 
stood by me ; and, thanks to his blessed name, he fulfilled 
his promise, and I went on without fear." 

The above circumstances, however, as related by Mr. 
Garrettson, had a very deleterious effect upon the tran- 
quillity of the societies, as they tended very much to stir 
up the spirit of persecution against the Methodists. At 
such times, when men's spirits are excited, they are not very 
accurate in distinguishing between the innocent and the 
guilty ; though the conduct of these few ought not to have 
implicated the whole body, yet it served as a pretence for 
those who wished for an excuse to reproach pure religion. 
" Hence," Mr. Garrettson observes, i: it was soon circu- 
lated through the country that the Methodists were ene- 
mies to the" American cause : and were imbodying them- 
selves to meet the English army. A short time before 
this, the English preachers had embarked for Europe ; and 
the conduct of Mr. Rodda, as before mentioned, had been 
very injurious to the persecuted flock. During this time, 
Mr. Asbury found an asylum at the house of good old 
Judge White, and I believe none but the Lord and himself 
knew what he suffered for nearly twelve months. We 
have since seen the hand of the Lord in his preservation. 

" My exercises of mind were very great, and my friends 
in Kent on every side entreated me to remain with them, 
and not to travel at large at the hazard of my life. I was 
ready at first to consent, but had not remained more than 
a week among them when my spirit was stirred within me, 



66 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1778. 



and I cried earnestly to the Lord to know his will. I felt 
an impulse to go, believing that God would stand by me, 
and defend my cause. And I received such a deep sense 
of God in my heart, and such precious promises of his 
parental care over me, that I took leave of my Kent friends 
and set out without any dread of my worst enemies. I 
then travelled largely through the country, preaching once, 
twice, thrice, and sometimes four times a day, to listening 
multitudes bathed in tears. 

"I shall not soon forget the 24th of June, 1778. O 
what a wringing of hands among sinners, and crying for 
mercy ! God's people praising him from a sense of his 
divine presence. O how did my heart rejoice in God my 
Saviour! I went through Cecil county, and part of Dela- 
ware state.. A precious llame was kindled in many hearts, 
and many were brought to inquire what they should do to 
be saved. I visited Mr. Asbury, at Judge White's, and 
found him very unwell. 1 had a sweet opportunity of 
preaching at his place of confinement. After some agree- 
able conversation with Mr. Asbury, I went on to Mary* 
land, and had much liberty in preaching to our persecuted 
friends in Queen Ann. 

" In this place they threatened to imprison me : but as 
they did not take me in the public congregation, I con- 
cluded they did not intend to lay hands on me : however, 
the next day, as I was going to Kent, John Brown, who 
was formely a judge in that county, met me on the road. 
When I came near him, he made a full stop as if he wanted 
something ; apprehending nothing, I stopped and inquired 
the distance to Newtown. His reply was, You must go to 
jail, and he instantly took hold of my horse's bridle. I 
desired him, in the Lord's name, to take care what he was 
about to do ; assuring him I was on the Lord's errand, 
and requesting him to show his authority for his proceed- 
ings. He immediately alighted from his horse, and taking 
a large stick that lay in the way, for some time beat me 
over the head and shoulders. Not befhg far from his 
quarter, he called aloud for help. I saw several persons, 
as I thought, with a rope, running to his assistance. 
Providentially, at this moment, he let go my bridle : had 
not this been the case, it is probable they would have put 
an end to my life ; for the beasts of the field seemed to be 



1778.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



67 



in the utmost rage. I thought the way was now open for 
my escape ; and being on an excellent horse, I gave him 
the whip and got a considerable distance before my 
enemy could mount ; but he, knowing the way better than 
myself, took a nearer route, met me, and as he passed 
struck at me with all his might ; my horse immediately 
made a full stop, my saddle turned, and I fell with force 
upon the ground, with my face within an inch of a sharp 
log. The blows I had received, together with my fall and 
bruises, deprived me of my senses. Providentially, at this 
time, a woman passed by with a lancet. I was taken into 
a house not far distant, and bled ; by which me^ns I was 
restored to my senses, but it was not expected I had many 
minutes to live. My affliction was good for me ; and I can 
confidently say, nothing induced me to wish to stay any 
longer in this world, but the thirst I had for the salvation 
of my fellow-creatures. The heavens, in a very glorious 
manner, seemed to be open ; and by faith I saw r my Re- 
deemer standing at the right hand of the Father, pleading 
my cause ; and the Father smiling, as if reconciled to my 
poor soul. 

" I was so happy I could scarcely contain myself. My 
enemy was walking to and fro, in great agitation, wishing 
he had not molested me. I had a heart to pray for him, 
and desired him to sit down by me, and to read such and 
such chapters. He did so ; I told him if he did not expe- 
rience that blessed work, he would surely go to hell. I 
said, if the Lord should take me away, I had a witness 
within me that I should go to heaven ; that I had suffered 
purely for the sake of our Lord's blessed gospel ; and 
that I freely forgave him. I entreated him to seek the 
salvation of his soul, and never again to persecute the 
followers of our Lord. The poor unhappy man did not 
know which way to look. ' I will take you in my carriage,' 
said he, ' wherever you want to go.' Notwithstanding this, 
when he perceived I was likely to recover, he went to a 
magistrate who was nearly as bitter against us as himself, 
and brought him to me. 

" They both appeared as if actuated by the devil. With 
a stern look the magistrate demanded my name : I told 
him ; and he took out his pen and ink, and began to write 
a mittimus to commit me to jail. Pray sir, said I, are you 



68 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1778. 



a justice of the peace ? He replied that he was. Why. then, 
said I, do you suffer men to behave in this manner ? If 
such persons are not taken notice of, a stranger can with 
no degree of safety travel the road. ' You have,' said he, 
'broken the law.' How do you know that I answered I ; 
but suppose I have, is this the way to put the law in force 
against me ? I am an inhabitant of this state, and have 
property in it : and, if I mistake not, the law says for the 
iirst offence the tine is rive pounds, and double for every 
offence after. The grand crime was preaching the gospel 
of the Lord Jesus Christ, in which I greatly rejoice. My 
enemy, said I, conducted himself more like a highwayman 
than a person enforcing the Law in a Christian country. 
Be well assured, this matter will be brought to light, said I, 
in an awful eternity. He dropped his pen, and made no 
farther attempt to send me to prison. By this time the 
woman who bled me came with a carriage ; and I found 
myself able to rise from my bed and give an exhortation to 
the magistrate, my persecutor, and others who were 
present. 

" I rode to the house of old brother Dudley, and preached 
with much delight, in the evening, to a few despised disci- 
ples, as I sat in the bed, from John xvi, 33, ' These things 
I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. 
In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer: 
I have overcome the world.' 

" I can truly say, what I suffered was for my good, and 
I think it was rendered a blessing to the people in the 
vicinity: for the work of the Lord was carried on in a 
blessed manner, and I met with very little persecution in 
that country afterward. (Some time after, I preached the 
funeral sermon of the wife of the above magistrate, and he 
was very much moved.) In the morning I awoke about 
four, and desired the friend of the house, if possible, to 
prepare a carriage for me by six ; as I had a long way to 
go and to preach twice. But being disappointed in getting 
a conveyance, though scarcely able to turn in my bed, my 
body being so bruised, I looked to the Lord for help, 
which was granted with sweet consolation. I mounted 
my horse about seven o'clock, and rode about fifteen 
miles, and preached at eleven o'clock. ! what a near- 
ness I had to the Lord while I held up a crucified Jesus 



1778.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



69 



to upward of five hundred persons ! My face bruised, 
scarred, and bedewed with tears ! the people were for the 
most part much affected. I rode afterward ten miles 
farther, and preached to hundreds with great freedom. 

! how sweet my Saviour was to me ! It seemed as if I 
could have died for him. 

" After a few days' respite I went to the place where I 
was beaten, and found that the persecuting spirit had in 
a measure subsided ; and that my way was surprisingly 
opened. I had many hearers, and the word was much 
blessed to many souls. The language of the hearts of 
many was, Surely this must be the right way. 

" The Lord was very kind to me in making a discovery, 
in a vision of the night, of the things I was to pass through; 
and they came to pass just as they were made known to 
me. 

" From Queen Ann's I again travelled through the 
Delaware state, and had many blessed opportunities of 
enforcing the truth on the attentive multitudes that flocked 
together from various quarters. In the neighbourhood of 
Mr. S. the people had been deprived of the privilege of 
hearing for some time, so that when I came among them 

1 found them hungering for the word. I preached from, 
1 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the 
moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with ban- 
ners V Solomon's Song vi, 10. I was so wonderfully 
drawn out, and my spirit so taken up with divine things, 
that I almost thought myself in heaven ; and many of the 
persecuted children of God seemed as if they would take 
wings and fly away. ! it was a great day of awakening 
power ! The love-feast was also remarkable for the sanc- 
tifying operations of the blessed Spirit. Many of our 
happy friends came from afar, and returned with their 
hearts all on fire for God. Many happy moments have I 
had among those loving followers of our blessed Lord. 

" Sunday, July 19, I visited and preached to the people 
of Marshy Hope. I was sorely tempted of the devil all 
the morning before preaching ; he strove to destroy or 
weaken my faith. I was afraid I should not be a means 
of doing any good. I wept and mourned in secret, and 
sensibly felt the power of darkness tempting me to believe 
I never had a commission to preach the everlasting gospel. 



70 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON* 



[1778. 



There was an unexpected congregation ; and shortly after 
I stood up before the people, the devil and unbelief fled ; 
and I gave out, 4 How shall we escape if we neglect so 
great salvation V Heb. ii, 3. The word ran through all 
the congregation, and there was a great shaking among 
the people. Among the rest, a woman was struck under 
conviction, and she cried for mercy until she fell to the 
ground. Her husband was much offended, and I was in- 
formed that he threatened me, as he said, for killing his 
wife. After sermon I spent some time in praying for the 
distressed. In the afternoon, accompanied by many, I 
rode four miles, and preached from, 6 Cut it down, why 
cumber eth it the ground V and I found myself greatly at 
liberty. In this place, a few months ago, the people were 
fast asleep, but now many are waking up, and several 
united to Jesus. 

" After travelling and preaching with great freedom and 
success in the Delaware state, I was brought on my way, 
in the heat of July, to Talbot county, in Maryland, where 
I laboured for about two weeks, night and day, with tears. 
Many souls were refreshed, and I thought it good for me 
to be there. Sweet refreshing seasons had I among 
those dear loving people : I shall not soon forget those 
mothers in Israel, sister Parrot and sister BrufF, who are 
now lodged in Abraham's bosom. They, I trust, lived and 
died witnesses of perfect love. 

" In August I left Talbot, and, accompanied by several 
friends, went to Kent Island. I preached frequently to a 
very gay, high-minded people, with freedom. An admi- 
rable change for the better has since taken place in that 
island. From thence I attended the August quarterly 
meeting in Kent, and had none to assist me except a few 
local preachers ; but the Lord was powerfully present, both 
in public worship and at the love-feast. 

" I cannot help thinking the circumstance I am going to 
relate very remarkable. One day, after meeting, my brother 
John came up to me and shook hands ; and looking me 
very wishfully in the face, without any explanation, said, 
* I shall never see you again in this world.' It was even 
so ; for by the time I got around as far as Cecil, he was taken 
very ill ; and a few hours before I got to his house, he was 
interred on the east side of the preaching house, at the 



1778.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



71 



place where he bade me his last farewell, not more than 
two weeks before. He was my second spiritual son ; and 
there was an uncommon intimacy between us. His dis- 
solutiou was revealed to him some time before he died. An 
eminent physician was with him the evening before his 
death ; and when his wife, speaking low to the doctor, 
inquired how soon he supposed her husband would die, and 
was told that his life would not be prolonged until the 
morning, he, overhearing them, said, ' Doctor, I shall not 
go till eight o'clock in the morning.' He had his senses 
perfectly in his last moments, and the exhortation which 
he gave was striking. After exhorting his wife, and a 
brother who lived with him, to stand fast in the faith, and 
entreating the servant to love the Lord, in a very affect- 
ing manner, he said, ' Now there is but one thing which 
lies heavy on my mind, and that is, the case of two uncon- 
verted brothers. Tell them,' continued he, ' from me, I 
never expect to see them in heaven,' (they lived on the 
western shore,) 'unless they repent and turn to the Lord. 
This he said to my brother Richard. Not long after they 
heard the message, they both sought and found the Lord. 
Thus were his prayers answered. At eight o'clock, as he 
had said, he resigned his spirit to his God, a witness of 
perfect love. He was beloved by all the people of God, 
and spent much of his time in the public and private 
exercises of religion. 

" This is the brother w r ho so solemnly covenanted with 
God on a sick bed, that if his life were prolonged, he would 
give himself to the service of his Maker. To show the 
mercy of the holy God, I must say, after his recovery, he 
was as careless as ever. I did not at that time enjoy the 
liberty of the gospel, yet at times I endeavoured to talk to 
my brother, and impress his mind with the solemn pro- 
mises he had made, and how merciful his heavenly Father 
was in sparing him, &c. ; but he would not hear, was 
rather displeased, and gave me to understand that he did 
not wish me to revive that subject. 

" Shortly after I was brought to an evidence of salvation 
by the forgiveness of sin, my brother John lay with great 
weight on my mind. I accordingly visited him, and while 
I was telling him my experience I believe the blessed God 
touched his heart. With his consent I appointed a prayer 



72 



LIFE OF REV. 



F. GAR RETT SON. 



[1778. 



meeting at his house ; many attended, and among others 
he was powerfully awakened and cried for mercy. About 
three months after this, he received a clear evidence of his 
acceptance with God. and walked humbly before him. In 
the spring of 1775 he married a pious young lady in Cecil 
county, after which I saw very little of him for two years, 
as I was travelling in distant parts : but I have every reason 
to believe that he maintained a heavenly walk with God. 

" In May, 1778, I came to his house, and found him an 
humble follower of Jesus, and had sweet communion with 
him. He had the charge of three classes, in which there 
were about sixty members, walking in love and harmony, 
and they esteemed him as a father and guide. 

" He gave the greater part of his time to meeting the 
classes, and visiting from house to house as long as he was 
able. In his last sickness he praised God wonderfully, 
testifying to all around that he had found the blessing he 
had been long seeking for, the perfect love of God. So my 
dear brother John lived and so he died. I was about forty 
miles off — they sent for me. but a little before I arrived he 
was interred, so I did not, according to his word, see him 
again, neither shall I. till I see him in a better world. 

" In September, 1778. I returned to Delaware state ; and 
on the 5th, for the first time, preached at Mr. Williams's, m 
Muskmelon. a kind man who had been a Quaker. I had 
for several days suffered deep exercises of mind, especially 
while on my way to this place. The enemy of my soul 
suggested that the Lord was a hard master. The whole 
Sabbath morning I was sorely tempted in this way. This 
appointment was made for Mr. Asbury, which caused my 
trial to be greater. At the meeting there were between 
five hundred and a thousand people ; many of whom came 
out of curiosity. I preached under a large spreading tree ; 
but the wind being high. I concluded to preach the second 
sermon in the house ; but the house could not contain half 
of the people. I gave out, ' One thing I know, whereas I 
was blind, now I see.' Glory to God ! Jesus makes use of 
clay, in this our day, to open the eyes of the blind. While 
I was in the first place describing the blindness of the human 
mind, the Lord displayed his almighty power. There was 
a great weeping and mourning among poor sinners : I 
likewise felt much happiness while describing the Lord's 



1778.1 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



73 



method in bringing sinners to himself, and in showing the 
blessed privileges they enjoy. How many were then con- 
vinced, and how many converted, I will not undertake to 
say, but I believe the number of both was great. I shall 
take notice of one instance of the power of God displayed 
at this meeting. A man noted for wickedness came curs- 
ing and swearing, as he has since told me, but under the 
first head of the discourse his sins fell, as it were, with the 
weight of a millstone on him. ' I would,' said he, 'have 
run out ; but I was afraid to put one foot before the other, 
lest I should drop into hell, for the pit was disclosed to my 
view ; and I saw no way to escape it : I thought every 
minute I should fall ; but I held myself up by the chair. 
O !' said he, ' under the second head of your discourse, while 
you were holding up Christ, I saw a beauty in him ; and 
without any dependance on myself, I cast my soul on Jesus ; 
in a moment the burden fell, my soul was happy, and I 
went home rejoicing in my Saviour.' I knew him six 
years after, and had no cause to doubt the soundness of 
his conversion. Among the rest an officer was cut to the 
heart, who soon after gave up his commission, and became 
a pious follower of Christ. I do not think I ever saw a 
more powerful day in a new place. After meeting, the 
people all around were begging to have preaching at their 
houses. Among other places, I appointed to speak at Mr. 
Lewis's, whose heart the Lord had touched ; he lived in 
Mother-Kill, a place famed for wickedness. Previously to 
my entering this place, the Lord awakened a woman of dis- 
tinction by an earthquake ; she found peace to her soul short- 
ly after I came to the place, and about a year after, she 
died a witness of perfect love. I preached at a variety of 
places in the country, and the work of the Lord went on 
prosperously. 

" When first I preached at Mr. Lewis's, only a few came 
to hear ; but the numbers gradually increased ; souls were 
awakened, and I joined many to the society. In the second 
sermon, among others, a youth by the name of Caleb Boyce 
was awakened, and after a time became alight in the church 
of God. I preached at his father's, and the work of the 
Lord prospering, a large society was raised in that neigh- 
bourhood, which did honour to the cause of God ! 

" I bless God for it, I had many hearts, hands, and 
4 



74 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RET TS N . 



[1778, 



houses, opened around me : and many inquired, 4 What 
shall I do to be saved V The people about Mother-Kill 
were brought up Presbyterians, and their pastor strove by 
every means to keep them from the Methodists ; but all in 
vain ; they were convinced there was more in religion 
than a mere form. Multitudes gathered to hear the word, 
and many large societies were formed in different places. 

" September 12th, 1778, was the first day of my entering 
the town of Dover, quite an irreligious place. I had desired 
for some time to attack this place, but had no opening, 
till an old gentleman came one day and heard me preach 
at Mr. Shaw's : his heart was touched, and he gave me an in- 
vitation to preach in the academy. Scarcely had I alighted 
from my horse before I was surrounded by hundreds ; some 
cried one thing, some another ; some said, He is a good 
man ; others said, Nay, he deceiveth the people — and I was 
also accused of being a friend to King George. They cried, 
* He is one of Clowe's men— hang him — hang him.' I 
know not what the event would have been, had not the 
Lord interposed. There were so many voices heard, that 
I had no possible chance to speak for myself; and to all 
human appearance, I was in a fair way to be torn in pieces 
every moment : I was, however, rescued by several gentle- 
men of the town, who, hearing the uproar, ran to my assist- 
ance. 

" The chief of these were Mr. Pryor, a merchant, who 
was formerly awakened under Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Lock- 
erman, and the alderman of the town. The little squire 
pressed through the crowd, Zaccheus-like, and taking me 
by the hand, led me through the mob, desiring me to preach, 
and he would stand by me. I mounted the stage at the 
door of the academy : the people flocked around, both with- 
in and without. After singing and prayer, I gave out, ' If 
it bear fruit, well ; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut 
it down.' The Lord was with me in truth. It was not 
difficult for me to speak so as to be heard a quarter of a 
mile. Many who did not come to the place heard me from 
their gardens and windows. We had much of the presence 
of the Lord with us. We rarely see such a weeping com- 
pany in a new place. One woman, who sat in her window 
more than a quarter of a mile off, was powerfully wrought 
upon. She knew no rest, day nor night, till she found a 



1778.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



75 



resting place in her heart for the God of Jacob. It was 
thought by some of my Christian friends, who accompanied 
me, that very few of the extensive congregation were left 
without a witness on their hearts of the truth of what was 
delivered : more than twenty got the word of truth so fast- 
ened that they did not desire to lose it, and it terminated, 
I trust, in a sound conversion of the souls of many. 

" The mob hung their heads ; many of them were af- 
fected ; their ringleader said, as I was informed, he would 
come and ask my pardon if he thought I would forgive 
him : I understood he betook himself from that day to 
reading the Bible ; and never again, to my knowledge, 
persecuted the children of God. 

" In the evening I lectured at Mr. Smether's, the old 
gentleman who had first given me an invitation to the town. 
Many of the chief people of the place came to hear, and 
we had a very solemn time. When I withdrew to my 
room, I was severely buffeted by Satan. I felt as misera- 
ble as Jonah under his withered gourd : it seemed as though 
I had given all to the people, and had nothing left for my- 
self. Ah ! said the enemy, the Lord will make use of you 
for the good of others, and then cast you away, as a parent 
does a rod after correcting the child. I was in such deep 
exercise that I could scarcely close my eyes throughout 
the night, but passed the greater part of it away in sighs 
and groans and silence before the Lord. I believe I was 
permitted to be thus tried in order to keep me at the feet 
of my Saviour, and hope I shall be always thankful for his 
kind dealings with me. 

" Monday, September 13th, I preached a few miles out 
of town, accompanied by many, and the Lord was with us. 
In the afternoon I returned, and found many mourning 
after Christ ; but the devil and some of his adherents were 
striving to make them believe that what I had told them 
was a delusion ; but they were not successful. I joined 
those who were deeply awakened into a society; and the 
Lord was with them, spreading his work and converting 
the souls of many : among the rest there was an old lady 
stripped of her own righteousness, who had been a com- 
municant in the church for many years ; also ten of her 
children, with their husbands and wives, were brought under 
concern for their souls. I preached at her house, when 



76 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON". 



[1778. 



sixteen or eighteen of her children and children-in-law 
were present. The old lady was mourning ; but several 
of them the Lord had set at liberty ; and before many 
months he visited the old lady with his forgiving love, as 
well as the most of her children. Such a family as this I 
have seldom seen in any part of America. 

" The fields appeared white for harvest ; but the labour- 
ers were very few. I was engaged in strong cries to the 
Lord to open the way and send out more ; and, blessed be 
his name, he raised up several young men, and sent others 
from the western shore. I wrote to Mr. Asbury, who was 
at Judge White's, informing him how matters were, that 
his way was open into any part of the state, and I requested 
him to make a visit to Dover : he did so, and brought in 
many whom I could not reach. The Lord gave us great 
favour in the sight of Dr. Magaw, minister of the Church, 
and he proved a great blessing to the cause of Methodism. 
The prejudices of the people began to fall astonishingly, and 
hundreds were enabled to rejoice in the kingdom of grace. 

" The 19th of September, 1778, I attended the funeral 
of my brother, and a solemn season it was ; my youngest 
brother was there from Baltimore, a wild youth, but the 
Lord laid his convincing hand upon him, and he returned 
a penitent mourner. In a few weeks he returned to see me } 
and continued with me till the Lord set his soul at liberty. 

" Monday, September 20th, as I was meditating and 
walking through the fields, I heard the cries of one on the 
top of a tree : and lifting up my eyes, I saw a man about 
taking away his own life. A rope was tied to a limb with 
a noose in it, and the poor wretch bemoaning himself 
thus : ' O what a wretch I am ! once I had a day of grace, 
but now it is a gone case with me ! — I may as w-ell put an 
end to my wretched life !' He then made a motion to put 
the rope over his head, bidding the world farewell. I 
instantly called to him, and told him to stop a few minutes 
while I conversed with him. He did so ; and after some 
time I persuaded him to refrain from his wicked intention, 
and come down from the tree. In the course of our con- 
versation I found the good Spirit had from time to time 
strove with him, but he had rejected the offers of mercy. 
At length the arch fiend persuaded him his day of grace 
was past, and that he had better know his doom as quickly 



1778.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SON. 



77 



as possible. My being an instrument (to human appear- 
ance) of saving the life of a human being, as well as, per- 
haps, the immortal soul, was no small comfort to me. 

" Tuesday I rode as far as Queen Ann's, and found a 
very prosperous work going on. I was very comfortable 
in my own soul ; and experienced it to be sweet to wait 
on God in secret. I found many hungering for the word, 
and had liberty in preaching. 

" Wednesday, September 22d, I awoke and rose early 
from my pillow, felt a great nearness to the Lord, and had 
a sweet time in secret. I visited poor John White, a brother 
of the doctor, and found him near death and in his sins. 
In his health he was a great persecutor; but now a penitent, 
begging the prayers of those he once despised. O ! how 
did he exhort his old companions to flee from their sins, and 
to take warning from him. I was greatly affected with his 
situation, and did not find freedom to leave him in the arms 
of the devil. ' O !' cried he, £ I am sleeping over hell !' I 
prayed with him frequently, and still it was impressed on 
my mind not to leave him. I had a travail of soul for this 
young man ; and retiring into a secret place, I wrestled 
with the Lord for him a long time ; and I thought the Lord 
would surely grant him favour. When I returned to the 
house and called the family together again for prayer, 
several of them were happy in the Lord. In the time of 
prayer the Lord set his soul at liberty ; and I do not enter- 
tain a doubt but that he went to rest. — O ! what a blessed 
thing it is in such a case to have Christian friends ! — He 
spoke freely of the love of God which he felt in his soul, 
and of his willingness to die. Numbers attended his funeral ; 
and I preached a sermon with much liberty on, ' I heard a 
voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the 
dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth : yea, saith 
the Spirit, for they rest from their labours, and their works 
do follow them,' Rev. xiv, 13. The Lord was present, and 
I trust measurably accompanied his word. 

" Individuals thought me an enthusiast, because I talked 
so much about feeling, and having impressions to go to 
particular places. I know the word of God is our infalli- 
ble guide, and by it we are to try all our dreams and 
feelings. I also know that, both sleeping and waking, 
things of a divine nature have been revealed to me. One 



78 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1778. 



night the state of the people in Somerset and Sussex 
counties seemed to be shown me. In my dream I thought 
I had a large circuit formed ; and the people were gather- 
ing to the banner of our Lord. On Friday, October 22d, 
I set out to form a circuit in those counties. On Sunday 
24th I arrived, and had an opportunity of preaching in a 
forest, both morning and afternoon, to hundreds who 
gathered to hear the new doctrine. I suppose many of 
them expected to be greatly diverted ; for they were a people 
who had neither the form nor power of godliness. My 
text was, ' Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the 
sin of the world, 5 John i, 29. The first sermon was only 
preparatory to the second, which I preached after a few 
minutes' intermission from, ' And I saw the dead, both small 
and great, stand before God, and the books were opened, 
and another book was opened, which was the book of life, 
and the dead were judged out of those things written in 
the books, according to their works,' Rev. xx, 12. I was 
convinced my impressions in respect to this place were 
not enthusiastic, for the power of God was very manifest 
in the congregation ; and there was weeping on every 
side. I suppose that more than thirty were powerfully 
wrought upon, all of whom not long after joined the society. 
I had invitations to preach from various quarters. The way 
was prepared in the same manner in which the Lord had 
revealed it to me ; and sinners flocked to Jesus. Some of 
the people among whom I went, appeared as familiar to 
me as if I had been there frequently before. 

" Monday, September 25th, I preached a funeral ser- 
mon in the same neighbourhood ; and the devil sent out a 
woman with a pistol or two to shoot me. While I was 
preaching from, 1 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at 
peace, thereby good shall come upon thee,' Job xxii, 21, 
she came in, and made so much noise that I stopped till 
they put her out and shut the door, O ! how precious this 
season was to me ! The divine power was sensibly felt 
among the people. After the sermon many hung around 
me in tears, begging of me to pray for them, and likewise 
to visit them, and not to let the disturbance prevent my 
coming among them again. 

" The wife of Mr. Nellum, a merchant in Salisbury, 
was powerfully awakened, with many others who came 



1778.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



79 



from a distance. This part of the world was famous for 
gambling and dancing ; but as the word spread, these vices 
fell, until there was scarcely a frolic heard of in Broad 
Creek. About this place I joined many broken-hearted 
sinners in society, many of whom, I trust, became ac- 
quainted with the power of religion. 

" Saturday, Nov. 7th, on my way to Talbot quarterly 
meeting, I preached at Mr. Parrot's. Two very gay young 
women, who came on a visit to their relations, were 
wounded, and I left them crying for mercy. 

" On Sunday, Nov. 8th, our quarterly meeting com- 
menced. 

" Monday, 9th, love-feast began in the morning, and it 
was a refreshing time. Many rejoiced in the Lord, and 
spoke freely and feelingly of what God had done for them. 
After the love-feast I found great freedom to preach from, 
i The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temp- 
tation,' 2 Peter ii^ 9, and we had a time not soon to be for- 
gotten. 

" Tuesday, Nov. 10th, I called again at Mr. Parrot's, 
and found those young women dressed very plain, and un- 
der deep distress. In the evening T read and lectured oil 
the 16th of John, and the Lord was with us of a truth. 
The power of the Lord was sensibly felt, and his presence 
filled the room, where about fifteen of us were met for 
prayer. Brother Hartley, my brother Richard, (who had 
come from some distance to see me,) and myself continued 
in prayer, including the time we spent in singing and 
exhorting, from about eight o'clock till nearly two ; and in 
that time five souls were set at liberty: the two young 
women of whom I have spoken, Dr. White and his two 
sisters, who came from a distance to quarterly meeting. 
This was an extraordinary night to my poor heart, and to 
the souls of most present. 

" Wednesday, Nov. 11th, greatly refreshed, and strength- 
ened, I set out again on my way to Somerset, and found 
my young disciples growing in grace,, as well as increasing 
in number. In my way around, having an invitation from 
Mr. Nellum, I preached in Salisbury $ where the Lord be- 
gan a blessed work ; but enemies were raised up against 
ine, who sent the sheriff with a writ to take me to jail. 
After he served it on me. he told me I must be confined. 



80 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1779. 



I told him I was a servant of the Lord Jesus, and that if he 
laid a hand on me, it would be like touching the apple of 
his eye. He was afraid to injure me : and friends and 
enemies followed me to the next preaching place. Many 
assembled from all quarters, and I preached from, 6 Behold, 
ye despisers, and wonder and perish ; for I work a work 
in your days, a work which ye shall in nowise believe, 
though a man declare it unto you/ Acts xiii, 41. It appear- 
ed to me as if the place was shaken by the power of the 
Lord : many of my enemies trembled like a leaf : I had 
faith to believe they had no power to stop me ; and so it 
proved, for I went on my way rejoicing in God my Saviour. 
This day one soul was set at liberty. 

" I preached at a place called Quantico, and a similar 
work broke out there. The Lord raised a society, and 
many souls were converted ; among others, old sister Ri- 
der, who was formerly a hearer of Mr. Whitefield, was 
raised up as a pillar in our society ; and she became a 
mother indeed to the preachers. This society was mostly 
composed of young people, who were as tender as lambs. 

In a note Mr. Garrettson gives the following account of 
the manner in which he was first introduced to the above 
place : — 

" I will briefly narrate the method the Lord took to 
bring me first to Quantico. Old Mr. and Mrs. Rider, who 
were on a visit among their friends, heard me preach, and 
were much affected. After the congregation was dismiss- 
ed, they advanced toward me in tears, and the old lady 
spoke as follows : — 8 Many years ago we heard Mr. White- 
field preach, and we were brought to taste the sweetness 
of religion. Till we heard you, we had not heard a gos- 
pel sermon for about twenty years. The first time I heard 
you preach, I knew it was the truth, but I only had a little 
spark left. Yesterday we heard you again, and the little 
spark was blown up to a coal ; and, glory to God, to-day 
the coal is blown up to a flame. We cannot hide ourselves 
any longer from you ; our house and hearts are open to 
receive you and the blessed word you preach.' The dear 
old people seemed to see, feel, and think alike. I went to 
their house, and it appeared as if there were many in that 
vicinity just ripe for the gospel. ! there was a sweet 
gathering to the fold of Jesus. 



1779.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



81 



" In April, 1779, I was led still farther into the wil- 
derness, and though I met with a variety of trials, and 
was severely buffeted of Satan, yet my Lord was with me 
daily. Although in those new places I had none to con- 
verse with, at first, who knew the Lord, yet Jesus was 
blessed company to me in my retirement. Often the wil- 
derness was my closet, where I had many sweet hours in 
communion with God. Whose heart can help rejoicing to 
think of the kind condescension of our blessed Lord to 
permit them to have such heavenly converse with him ! 

" Saturday, April 3d, I preached at a place called the 
Sound for the first time, near the seashore, to about two 
hundred people. They had been as sheep without a 
shepherd ; but I preached not without hope. There were 
several who are under the appellation of Baptists in this 
place ; and one of their preachers, who spoke after me, 
cried down baby -sprinkling, as he called it. I requested 
the people to attend the next day at an appointed place, 
and I would preach on the subject. 

" Sunday, April 4th, a number of people assembled, 
and I preached from, ' Go ye into all the world, and preach 
the gospel to every creature. He that believe th and is 
baptized, shall be saved ; but he that believeth not, shall 
be damned,' Mark xvi, 15, 16. Very great attention was 
paid ; and as my hearers were principally Presbyterians 
and Churchmen, a vindication of infant baptism was very 
agreeable to them. If it was of no other service, it pre- 
pared their minds for what was to follow ; for they knew 
not who or what I was. I told them that after a few 
minutes' intermission I would preach again ; which I did 
from these words, ' If the righteous scarcely be saved, 
where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear V 1 Pet. 
iv, 18. This day will not soon be forgotten : the work of 
the Lord broke out. Though I continued more than three 
hours in the two sermons, the people, after I concluded, 
appeared as if nailed to their seats ; for they did not seem 
as if they wished to move from the place ; and weeping 
was on every side. 

" Monday, April 5th, I preached still nearer to the sea ; 
and the same convincing power ran through the audience. 
Some of them thought but little of walking ten or twelve 
miles to hear the word. I appointed a day to read and 

4* 



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LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1779. 



explain the rules of our society; and many came together. 
I preached with great freedom ; then explained the nature 
and design of our society, and desired such of the weeping 
flock as wished to join, to draw near and open their minds. 
I examined and admitted about thirty ; but being weary, 
I declined taking any more at that time. Weeping and 
mourning were heard among the people. 

" I went to a place some distance off, and preached to 
a gazing company ; and while I was speaking, a man 
started from his seat, saying, ' Sir, it is a shame for you to 
go on as you do ; why, do you think you can make us 
believe your doctrine is true V I stopped immediately, 
and desired him to point out wherein it was false. I con- 
versed with him before the people, until he asked my 
pardon, being sorry he had exposed his ignorance. As he 
was a man of some note, it proved a blessing to the 
people. 

" I returned to the Sound, and preached two, three, and 
frequently four times in a day. They were so hungry for 
the word that many would follow me to the house where 
I was to stay, inquiring, ' What they should do to be saved? 5 
The devil in this, as well as other places, had his factors : 
one man of note set up a reading meeting in opposition to 
the society ; but the power of God reached his heart, so 
that he gave it~up, and joined the society. Several hired 
a clergyman of the Church to come and preach against us. 
He came once, and appointed to come again ; but before 
the time, I met him on the road, and told him I was the 
man against whom he preached in such a place. I asked 
him if he had ever heard a Methodist 1 He told me he 
never had. After explaining to him our doctrine, and 
conversing with him more than an hour, he promised that 
he would never do the like again, and confessed that he 
was led into it by a few individuals : and his people could 
never after persuade him to preach against us. 

" In this neighbourhood I have preached to a thousand 
or fifteen hundred souls assembled together under the trees ; 
and many were brought to experience justification by 
faith* 

* Respecting the people in this place, Mr. Garrettson makes the 
following observations in his notes to this part of his journal, that an 
admirable change soon took place for the better in this region of country. 



1779.1 



LIFE OF REV, F. GARRETTSOX. 



33 



" My mind was amazingly exercised, and 1 believe the 
Lord permitted this affliction for the humiliation of my soul. 
I was frequently afraid, lest after preaching to others, I 
myself should be a castaway ; and many hours I have 
spent in secret weeping before the Lord. Sometimes I 
was tempted to think I did more harm than good, and that 
the people, after a while, would be worse than ever : or 
that they were hypocrites. At other times, the cross was 
so heavy a little before I had to preach, that I was con- 
strained, like the prophet, to cry out, 1 The burden of the 
Lord !' But at such particular times I was sure to have a 
happy meeting, 

' ! to grace how great a debtor 

Daily I'm constrained to be : 
Let that grace now like a fetter, 
Bind my wand'ring soul to thee.' 

u One day I was wandering through the wilderness in 
search of a poor lost sheep, and called at several houses ; 
but they did not want me. At length night came on ; and 
I had been all day, at least from the morning, without any 
refreshment for myself or horse. I finally found myself 
lost in a thick wilderness, called the Cyprus Swamp. 
The night was dark and rainy ; and after wandering about 
for a considerable time, I concluded to take up my lodging 
as well as I could : for this purpose I stopped my horse ; 
but before I got down, I espied a light, by following which 
I was led to a house, where I was most kindly entertained. 
I sat down, and found my soul very happy and thankful. 
The man of the house fixed his eyes upon me, and at last 
said, ? What are you, or who are you ? for I am sure I 

When he first went among them, the people, their land and houses, with 
but few exceptions, were poor. What was worst of all, they were desti- 
tute of even the form of godliness. Many of them preferred fishing and 
hunting to cultivating the land. After the gospel came among them, 
religion spread rapidly, and the people became industrious and happy ; 
left off gambling, tilled their land, built houses and attended to their spi- 
ritual interests, so that, says he, " After a few years, in retracing my 
footsteps in this country, I found that my younger brethren in the ministry 
who had succeeded me had been blessed in their labours, and every thing 
appeared to wear a different aspect. Experience had taught many that 
there is nothing like the gospel in its purity to meliorate both the tem- 
poral and spiritual condition of man : and my prayer is that it may find 
its way throughout the whole world, to the destruction of idolatry and 
infidelity." 



84 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



C1779. 



never saw such a man as you appear to be.' I told him 
I was a follower of our blessed Saviour ; and asked him if 
he would join me in prayer. I then read the 7th chapter 
of Matthew, and lectured from it ; and found great sweet- 
ness in prayer. After I withdrew to bed, the wife said to 
the husband, ' That is a man of God ; one whom the Lord 
hath sent to reform the world.' When I arose in the 
morning, he asked me to what place I was bound, and 
offered his service and company. I perceived that the 
Lord had reached his heart ; and I now saw for what pur- 
pose the crook was in my lot the day before. I asked the 
woman if she had a love for the Lord. She said, ' Yes.' 
I asked if she ever prayed. She replied, ' I pray always.' 
I asked if she knew her sins forgiven. She said, ' she did 
not ; but she knew that she should go to heaven when she 
died. And,' said she, ' I know that you are a servant of 
God ; but you cannot teach me, for I understand all the 
Scriptures, and I know what kind of death I am to die.' 
After breakfast we went on our way ; and as we rode, the 
man asked me what I thought of his wife. I told him 
she was a mystery to me. ' Why,' said he, ' some time ago 
she was taken in a kind of melancholy way, and no one 
knew what was the matter. For thirteen days she would 
neither eat nor drink ; and frequently she would embrace 
the pitcher and kiss it, but would not take a drop, till at 
length she became so weak that she betook herself to her 
bed ; and the thirteenth day of her fasting, a number of 
people waited around, expecting to see the last of her ; 
but all on a sudden she rose up, and said, " You thought 
that mine was a bodily disorder ; but it was not. Now," 
said she, " I know that my Maker loves me." They gave 
her food, and she ate as heartily as ever : and she has 
been in that serious way ever since.' She appeared to be 
a very solemn woman, and I had a hope that the Lord had 
taken her into his favour. 

" On my return I called on him again, and conversed 
more fully with the woman, who continued to believe that 
man could not teach her. I suppose the people in this part 
of the country had scarcely ever heard any kind 'of preach- 
ing, and knew no more about the new birth than the In- 
dians. I met a man one day, and asked him if he was 
acquainted with Jesus Christ. ' Sir,' said he, 1 I know not 



1779.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



85 



where the man lives.' Lest he should have misunderstood 
me, I repeated my question ; and he answered, ' 1 know 
not the man.' 

" Glory to God ! I preached in a variety of places through 
this wilderness ; and many were convinced and brought to 
the knowledge of the truth. They built a church, and the 
Lord raised up several able speakers among them. There 
was an amazing change both in the disposition and man- 
ners of the people. The wilderness and solitary places 
began to bud and blossom as the rose ; and many hearts 
did leap for joy. Hundreds who were asleep in the arms 
of the wicked one awoke, and were inquiring the way to 
Zion with their faces thitherward. 

' ; As my brethren in rotation began to travel largely 
through this part of the work, I had an opportunity to visit 
the friends in various parts of Maryland, and found it good 
for me to be among old established Christians. 

" On the 1st of June I returned back to the Sussex cir- 
cuit in Delaware ; and June 6th I preached with great 
freedom at Thomas L.'s, in the Fork, from, ' Friend, how 
earnest thou in hither, not having on a wedding garment V 
Matt, xxii, 12. I rode six miles, and met brother M. We 
held a watch-night, and I had much satisfaction in hearing 
several of the exhorters, and gave them notes of permis- 
sion to speak. 

" Sunday, June 7th, I spent the morning in retirement 
sorely tempted by the devil ; and after I w r ent to my ap- 
pointed place, my mind was so bewildered I thought there 
was not a text in the Bible that I could speak from. I felt 
myself less than the least. At eleven o'clock there was 
such a number collected that I was obliged to preach un- 
der the trees. I had been before the people but a few 
minutes, till the Lord blessed me with great light, and the 
Bible seemed all plain to me." 

In reference to silent meetings, Mr. Garrettson has the 
following very pertinent observations among his manuscript 
notes : — 

" It is said, in favour of silent meetings, that Job's friends 
waited in silence seven days, and then they began to speak. 
Why was this silence ? Before Job's affliction he was 
thought to be a very good man. His friends were in 
council to make up an opinion respecting his case. It 



86 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SOX. 



L1779. 



was a received opinion with many in that country and age, 
that the Almighty would not lay so heavy an affliction upon 
a good man. From such an opinion, their decision must 
be. that Job was a bad man, or that his Maker dealt un- 
justly by him : but the judgment of the counsellors was, 
that the Almighty was perfect in wisdom and goodness, 
and that Job was a bad man ; and having made up their 
minds on the occasion, they began to load Job with accu- 
sations of base hypocrisy, and to preach to him repentance 
or banishment from the presence of God. Had they known 
how to reconcile those deep afflictions with the mercy and 
goodness of God, they might have begun their discourse 
when they first approached Job, and not have accepted a 
false vision. 

" I grant, in several instances, the prophets waited in 
silence ; but who cannot see the difference between fore- 
telling future events, and declaring those sacred truths of 
the gospel which have been revealed to every regenerated 
child of God, and especially to his ministers 1 Before a 
person professes to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ, he 
must know that he has a commission from him ; and the 
pious man, with the commission, receives a holy unction, 
and if he is faithful, he will be taught every necessary truth, 
and certainly he will be taught to be instant in season and 
out of season. I know that the nearer we live to the fount- 
ain head, the more plentifully will the water flow. A Chris- 
tian minister should always have the holy spark with him, 
and certainly he should have the faculties of his soul so 
well regulated as to know when to speak and when to be 
silent. I myself one day heard three men speak, after 
brooding over it for nearly an hour, and I verily believe I 
have heard a pious sister in a love-feast speak more to the 
purpose in fifteen minutes. What would you think of E. 
H., who by some is cried up to be a great man, after pro- 
fessing to have waited a considerable time for the Spirit, 
rising up and declaring that there is no more merit in the 
blood of Jesus Christ than in the blood of any common 
animal, and inveighing against almost all the duties en- 
joined by the Christian religion ? I speak thus, because 
I think it a pity that any respectable society of professing 
Christians should be imposed on by such men, and such 
doctrine, 



1779.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



87 



" Whenever the Lord begins his work in any place, the 
devil and his children are sure to rise up against it. After 
preaching, I set out on my afternoon's appointment, ac- 
companied by about thirty, whose hearts the Lord had 
touched. I was pursued by a party of men who waylaid 
me, and the head of the company, with a gun presented, 
commanded me to stop. Several of the women who were 
with us surprised me ; they were in an instant off their 
horses, and seizing hold of his gun, held it until I passed 
by. That same man was a penitent sometime after, and 
became a member of the society. I went on and preached 

at old Mr. T 's to a large, attentive company, and united 

a prosperous society. 

" It appeared as if hundreds in the congregation were 
more or less wrought upon, and many appeared to be 
broken-hearted. We could never get a society in this 
place till now. I know the day when the Lord began his 
work in the Fork : I preached from these words, ' And in 
hell he lifted up bis eyes, being in torment ;' and intended, 
if I saw no fruit, to leave them ; but blessed be God, he 
visited the place in mercy, and the devil's kingdom is like 
to receive a wonderful shock." 

About this time Mr. Garrettson laboured under peculiar 
and heavy temptations, often repelling them by earnest, 
prayer to God, wrestling in holy violence for the victory. 
He continued, however, steadfast in his Master's work, 
preaching successfully to large congregations. Under a 
feeling sense of his inward conflicts, he says, " What is the 
devil afraid of? Why does he chase me in this manner ? 
I do not know that I have given way to sin, either inwardly 
or outwardly ; and yet he tells me frequently, ' my com- 
mission is run out, and that my labours never will be bless- 
ed again.' I have had great smugglings in my mind to 
know my standing ; not that I doubt my adoption into the 
family of heaven ; but respecting my salvation from all 
inward sin. From this quarter have arisen my greatest 
fears, for more than twelve months past. I know that my 
Lord has given me power to serve him, and that I love 
him supremely ; but these are comprehensive words, ' to 
love the Lord with all the heart.' My prayers have been 
frequent, being desirous of a stronger assurance of this 
perfect love which casteth out fear. I have thought some- 



88 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1779. 



times that I should doubt no more ; but fearfulness has 
asrain assaulted me. 

" This day I felt strangely : I was so burdened, not with 
guilt, blessed be God ! that I could scarcely bear my own 
weight. None know what I mean, but such as have re- 
ceived a commission to deliver a message for the Lord. 
The prophet knew when he cried out, ' The burden of the 
Lord Jonah knew something of it when he was called to 
go to Nineveh ; and Jeremiah was w r ell acquainted with 
exercises of this kind. It is a sweet thing to preach the 
gospel, but the cross is to be borne. 

" T crossed the river and went to my appointment, which 
was at J. More's, on Broad Creek. The people assembled 
from all quarters ; and many came out, some from afar, 
who were enemies to the w r ay. I had scarcely opened 
my mouth when my burden dropped off, and in an uncom- 
mon manner the Holy Scriptures were opened to me ; and 
the flame ran from heart to heart. I felt as though I had 
almost faith enough to remove mountains. One thing was 
noticed, not only by my friends, but likewise by those w 7 ho 
were enemies— there had been a great drought, so that 
the vegetable creation hung in mourning ; and it was 
thought by many they would lose their crops if it con- 
tinued much longer. In a particular manner I was led to 
pray for rain ; and a few minutes after the congregation 
was dismissed, the face of the sky was covered with black- 
ness, and we had a plentiful shower. This greatly sur- 
prised and convinced the people. I was now happy 
enough to see the prosperity of the young converts. While 
the Lord was plentifully watering the earth, I collected 
the family for prayer ; and we had a great time of refresh- 
ing from the presence of the Lord. My soul was so happy 
while the Lord was utttering his voice in thunder, that it 
seemed as if I saw, by an eye of faith, the blessed Jesus, 
and the glorified company around him, in exalted strains, 
singing and shouting his praise. And this joy continued 
with me till some time in the night ; I then sweetly rested 
in the arms of my Lord. 

"Thursday, June 11th, I preached to a poor people. 
Some who came from a distance thought I pointed my 
discourse at them. Thursday was a very solemn day of 
fasting. I have noticed that the evil one is more spiteful 



1779.1 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SOX. 



89 



on my fast days than at other times. But I feel there is a 
necessity of keeping my body under, lest after preaching 
to others I should be a castaway. . My public labours this 
day. as I was among a curious people, were to reconcile 
some seeming contradictions in Scripture. After 1 had 
done, I was warmly opposed by an enemy to the cross of 
Christ. I visited one of the spiritual children of Mr. 
"Whitefield, on her deathbed ; and I trust her soul was 
happy in the Lord. 

" In the evening I met and examined a large society, 
and we had a comfortable time. I had a sweet night's 
rest, and awoke at my usual hour with a happy mind, and 
prayed earnestly to the Lord, to grant that every moment 
of my life might be given to him. 

" I rode to Quantico to visit the young lambs. I ex- 
pected that the Lord intended to do something for them, 
for the devil pursued me all the way even till I got to the 
place. An unexpected congregation assembled in the 
afternoon, and the Lord was with us of a truth. Several 
were set at liberty ; and the cries of the distressed were 
heard — O Jesus, thou art lovely to my soul ! — Thou hast 
overcome me with thy loving kindness. I found great 
freedom in meeting- the society, and in the morning I met 
them again, and a precious time we had. 

£i Sunday, June 14th. I felt this morning as if the 
Lord intended to do great things for the people. I spent 
the morning in wrestling with the Lord for a blessing on 
my labours. I preached at old brother Rider's at eleven 
o'clock : the old judge, who came as a hearer, gave great 
attention, and we had a melting time. I rode ten miles to 
Salisbury : when I came in, the man of the house took me 
into a room, and told me I had better leave the town 
immediately ; for a mob was waiting and intended to send 
me to jail. ' They came to my house last night,' said he, 
' expecting to find you here ; but when they found you not, 
they laid hold on me, and dragged me down the chamber 
stairs, hauled me along the street till my arms were as 
black as ink from my wrists to my shoulders ; and I know 
not what would have been the consequence, if I had not 
been rescued by a magistrate.' This mob was made up of 
what they call the first people in the country. I told my 
informer that I had come to preach my Master's gospel. 



90 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON". 



[1779. 



and that I was not afraid to trust him with body and soul. 
Many came out to hear me ; I understood the mob sent 
one of their company to give information of the most con- 
venient time to take me. While I was declaring, 4 The 
Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, 
and reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be pun- 
ished,' the heart of the spy, who sat close by me, was 
touched, and the tears ran plentifully down his face. 
After service he returned to his company, and told them I 
had preached the truth, and if they laid a hand on me he 
would put the law in force against them. They withdrew 
to their homes, without making the slightest attempt upon 
me. O, who would not confide in so good a God ! After 
our blessed meeting was over, I rode three miles and had 
a pleasant time with a few of my friends. _ Glory be to 
God ! he is carrying on a gracious work about this place. 
All this week I spent in preaching and visiting the young 
societies. 

" Sunday, June 21st, I was to preach at the Sound. In 
the morning I intended meeting the society at eight 
o'clock ; but such a cloud gathered that I declined it, and 
preached a sermon. At twelve about fifteen hundred 
were assembled under the spreading trees, and the Lord 
made bare his arm. After a short intermission I preach- 
ed another sermon ; and it seemed as if the whole country 
would turn to the Lord. While preaching I was so won- 
derfully drawn out, that it appeared to me as though I saw 
our blessed Saviour working prosperously through the 
assembly. Weeping was on every side. I spent a week 
in the neighbourhood, preaching several times a day, be- 
sides visiting and conversing with the distressed. I believe 
this work was greatly hindered by the Baptists, who came 
among the people, drew off a few, and set others to 
disputing about the decrees, and their method of baptizing. 

" Sunday, June 28th, when I came to brother Williams's 
in Muskmeion, I found that a Nicolite preacher had been 
sowing his seed in the young society, and endeavouring to 
destroy the new-born children. He told them, ' It was a 
sin to wear any kind of clothing that was coloured ; and 
that, they ought never to pray but when they had an imme- 
diate impulse, and that it was wrong to sing.' Many peo- 
ple came together, but I perceived a considerable alteration; 



1779.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



91 



for some would not sing at all, and others sat both in time 
of singing and prayer. Some had taken off the borders of 
their caps, and condemned those who would not do as 
they had done : in short, some of my own spiritual chil- 
dren would scarcely hear me, because I wore a black coat. 
I gave out my text, £ The kingdom of God is not meat and 
drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy 
Ghost,' Rom. xiv, 17. The Lord made bare his arm and 
humbled me among them ; and there was a shaking, con- 
vincing power. After sermon was ended, I met the society 
and excluded the leader and one or two more ; those that 
remained seemed to grow in grace more than ever. I spent 
the week in Mother-Kill, and several other places, and was 
greatly comforted among the growing societies. 

" Sunday, July 5th, I preached in Dover a little after 
sunrise, then rode four miles and preached at brother B.'s 
at nine, to hundreds who stood and sat under the trees for 
want of room in the house, from, 5 Behold a sower went 
forth to sow,' Matt, xiii, 3. I was in my element, and we 
had a great display of the power of the Lord. Many about 
this place are inquiring, ' What shall I do to be saved V I 
rode on six miles and preached at one o'clock to a listening 
multitude under the trees in Mother-Kill. O how good 
the Lord was to my soul ! It was little trouble for me to 
preach, for the Scriptures seemed all open. I rode five 
miles and preached again in Muskmelon, at brother W.'s, 
and had, I think, more freedom than at either of the other 
places. At the last sermon there was a Quaker preacher 
present, and after meeting was ended he told a person that 
I 1 spake by the Spirit, if ever man did.' The person said 
it was my fourth sermon that day ; he then altered his 
mind, and replied, ' If that was the case, I was a deceiver, 
for it was nothing but will worship.' This day I stood 
upward of six hours in the four sermons, and concluded 
about sunset. My spirit was so united to my Jesus, and 
so transported, that I scarcely felt the fatigues of the day ; 
and the only sustenance I had taken was a little milk and 
water. I have seldom seen a greater day than this ; I do 
not know but I may say thousands are flocking to Jesus. 
There is a childlike fondness in these people, and I feel 
unwilling to leave them ; but the will of the Lord be done. 

" Monday, July 6th, having it on my mind, I set out to 



92 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. [1779. 



make an inroad through the Delaware state, where I had 
never been : I had appointed a friend, who had given me 
an invitation to Lewistown, to meet me at such a time, 
and conduct me through the country : so that numbers had 
knowledge of my intention to pass that way. All along 
the road many were standing at their doors and windows 
gazing, and I could hear some of them say, as I passed, 
1 There he is ; 0,' said another, 1 he is like another man.' 
I rode about thirty miles and got to my appointment about 
three ; about four o'clock I began, and shortly after I gave 
out the text, J. Wolf; brother to the man in whose house I 
was to preach, came to the door with a gun and a drum, 
and several other utensils, and after beating his old drum 
a while, he took the gun, and was dodging about as though 
he was takino- aim to shoot me : this greatly terrified the 
women, so that there was nothing but confusion. I then 
stopped, and withdrew to a private room. Soon after, the 
town squire and several other magistrates came, and among 
the rest a Presbyterian minister. The town squire com- 
manded him to depart immediately to his own house, or 
behave himself, otherwise he would send him to jail. We 
now had peace, and I found great freedom to finish my 
sermon. I have no doubt but the Lord began this work. 
The minister told some of the people afterward that I held 
out nineteen errors. The town squire told me the court 
house was at my service, and I should be welcome to his 
house. 

" Wednesday, July 8th, my old enemy W — f, by nature 
and name, set on by a few others, came into the court 
house while I was preaching, not with a gun and drum, 
but with lire, which he put in the chimney, and then began 
to heap on wood, though the day was exceedingly warm : 
finding that this did not disturb me, he brought in a bell, 
and rang; it loudly through the house. I stopped, and 
inquired if any would open a large private room. Many 
were offered, and I withdrew and finished my sermon at 
the house of a kind widow woman. In spite of all the op- 
position, the word found the way to the hearts of the hear- 
ers ; and though severely tempted of the devil, and perse- 
cuted by many of his servants, my heart was with the Lord ; 
and many were the sweet moments I had in secret. 

" Sunday, July 12th, my appointments were at nine in 



1779.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SOX. 



93 



the morning, and three in the afternoon, that I might not 
interfere with the hours of the Church. The courthouse 
was crowded at nine, and a most pleasant time I had. In 

the morning it rained, so that Mr. did not make his 

appearance, and as the people were waiting, the squire 
said I had better begin my second sermon. Just as I 
began he arrived, and waited till I was nearly done ; and 
then the bell rang over my head for church, but the people 
would not move until I concluded, after which we all went 
into church ; but his pulpit and that of Mr. W. rang against 
me, and all such runabout fellows. His having the bell rung 
over my head much offended, not only those who were my 
friends, but many of his also. The more they preached 
and spoke against me, the more earnestly did the people 
search their Bibles to know whether these things were so. 

" I had an appointment a few miles from the town by 
the side of a river ; and some declared that if I went there 
they would drown me. I went and found a large con- 
course of people, and preached with much freedom, but 
no man assaulted me. I had five miles to my afternoon's 
appointment ; and when I had got two miles on my way 
I looked behind and saw a man dressed like a soldier, 
riding full speed, with a great club or stick in his hand. 
I now found it necessary to exercise my faith. When he 
came up to me he reached out his hand, saying, £ Mr. 
Garrettson, how do you do I I heard you preach at such 
a time, and believe your doctrine to be true ; I heard you 
was to be abused at the river to-day, and I equipped my- 
self as you see me, and have rode twenty miles in your 
defence, and will go with you if it is a thousand miles, 
and see who dare lay a hand upon you.' Friend, said I, 
the Scripture tells us that vengeance belongs to God, and 
not to man. ' Very true, sir,' said he, 1 but I think I 
should be justifiable in so glorious a cause.' I travelled 
and preached all through the forest, and the Lord enlarged 
my heart and gave me many precious souls : for numbers 
were brought to inquire after religion. 

" Saturday, July ISth, I went to the Fork, accompanied 
by my dear old friends, brother and sister White. July 
19th, I preached again in the open air to many hundreds ; 
and found that the work of the Lord was still going on. 
In the afternoon I preached to almost as many at old 



94 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1779. 

Mr. Turpin's. His daughter Rebecca is a very happy young 
woman. A few months since she was in the height of the 
fashion, but now sees the evil and folly of these things. 

" Monday, July 20th, I went to preach at a house by 
the river, on the edge of Dorset county : here the Lord 
had greatly weakened Satan's kingdom. I preached at 
the door to abundantly more than could get into the house. 
I was so surprisingly drawn out, and the people so engaged, 
that I could not conclude under two or three hours. From 
the looks of the people, I should not have thought that I 
had an enemy in the congregation. After sermon, being 
much spent, I withdrew. Shortly after a person came to 
me and said, ' two men wanted to see me.' I told him to 
desire them to walk up, thinking they were persons in dis- 
tress, and wanted instruction ; but when I saw them I dis- 
covered wickedness in their very looks. One of them was • 
a magistrate, and he was a Churchman ; the other was a 
Presbyterian, and he was a disputant. The magistrate 
brought him out in order to confute me in points of reli- 
gion : and then his intention was to send me to prison. 
I desired them to sit down, and the disputant began; he 
said but a few words until I asked him if his soul was con- 
verted to God ? I charge you, said I, in the presence of 
Him before whom we shall shortly stand, tell me, is your 
soul converted to God ? Do you know that your peace is 
made with God ? He was struck, and knew not what to 
say ; but at last he said, ' I do not know that I am.' Then, 
replied I, you are in the way to hell : and I began to exhort 
him to repent and turn to the Lord. I think I never before 
saw a man so confused. He made attempts to quote 
Scripture, but could get hold of none. The magistrate, 
seeing in what condition his disputant was, in a rage 
said, ' Sir, do you know the laws of this state ? You have 
not taken the oath, and you have broken the law by preach- 
ing ; you must go to jail.' I bless God, said I, that I am 
not afraid of a jail. They withdrew, and after I had eaten 
dinner I mounted my horse and set out to attend my after- 
noon's appointment ; but a sheriff met me a few rods from 
the house, and commanded me to stop. Many of my 
friends gathered around me, and offered to be security for 
my appearance at court ; but I told them I would give no 
security. I had faith to believe that he had not power, or 



1779.1 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



95 



at least would not be permitted to stop me. I looked him 
in the face, and said, I am going on the Lord's errand, and 
if you have power, here I am, take me; but remember that 
the God against whom you are righting, who made yonder 
sun, is just now looking down upon you ; and I know not 
but that he will crush you to the earth, if you persist in 
fighting so furiously against him. I am now on my way 
to Philadelphia, to preach the glorious gospel of my Re- 
deemer ; and the consequence of your stopping me in this 
manner will be rueful. After conversing with him a few 
minutes, I perceived his countenance fall, and he said, c It 
is a pity to stop you ;' and so turned his back upon me. 
I went rejoicing on my way, accompanied by many of my 
kind friends, some of whom were weary and heavy laden ; 
and had an opportunity in the afternoon to inculcate pre- 
cious truths on as many people as could crowd into a large 
house standing by the riverside. 

" After attending several quarterly meetings, where we 
had a very large number of people, and great displays of 
the power of convincing and converting grace, I pursued 
my journey to Philadelphia, accompanied by several of 
my friends from that city. In my way I preached at Mr. 
Sadler's, in Queen Anne's : and after preaching, to get 
clear of a mob, which they expected would surround the 
house, (for there were many violent oppose rs in this part 
of the country.) I rode, accompanied by a tender friend, 
the best part of the night, and got into another county. 
The next day my friends met me : we then went on toge- 
ther, and arrived safely in Philadelphia." 



CHAPTER VI. 

Mr. Garrettson had laboured in the Peninsula in the 
manner related in the preceding chapter about fifteen 
months. During this time several new circuits had been 
formed, and the work of God had prospered in his hands ; 
so much so that the number returned in the societies, in 
Delaware and Kent county, in the year 1779, was 1,288. 
When the many difficulties they had to contend with, 
in consequence of the war which was now raging with 



96 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1779. 



increased violence, are considered, we can but admire the 
good hand of God that was with them in the awakening 
and conversion of so many souls. Notwithstanding these 
obstacles, Mr. Garrettson was enabled to prosecute his 
labours in the gospel with increased vigour and perse- 
verance, and with great success ; so that at the time we 
are now speaking of, there were no less than forty-nine 
preachers, and 8,577 members in the societies. Mr. 
iVsbury was still confined, principally at Judge White's, 
so that the chief management of the affairs fell upon Mr. 
Garrettson, so far as active . labour was concerned. It is 
true he corresponded with Mr. Asbury, and acted accord- 
ing to his advice and under his direction. It is not to be 
wondered at that " all manner of evil" should be said of a 
man who was thus instrumental in the hand of God in 
giving such a shock to Satan's kingdom. 

Having given such evident proofs of his designation to 
the work of the Christian ministry by the supreme Head 
of the church, and of his skilfulness in conducting the 
spiritual interests of the societies, Mr. Asbury requested 
him to leave his present field of labour, and pay a visit to 
the city of Philadelphia, the society in this place being in 
a very depressed state. 

The British army had been for a considerable time 
quartered in this city, and at this time had just taken their 
departure. The confusion occasioned by this state of 
things tended very much to obstruct the work of God. 
Previously to the entrance of the British into the city, 
many of the inhabitants had fled into the country, and it 
was some time even after they had departed before the 
citizens returned and arranged their affairs, so as to feel 
themselves in a settled state. " I stayed," says Mr. Gar- 
rettson, " about two months in Philadelphia, and though I 
did not see much fruit of my labour, I found many of my 
dear friends near and precious to me." 

Being relieved in the city by Mr. Cox, he took a 
tour into several parts of Pennsylvania and New- Jersey, 
" preaching," he says, "from ten to twelve sermons a week. 
I bless God for the prosperous journey he gave me through 
the state of New-Jersey : several were awakened, and 
some brought to know the Lord Jesus. 

" One day after preaching, an old man came to me and 



1779.3 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



97 



said, all in tears, ' This day I am a hundred and one years 
old, and this is my spiritual birth-day.' The dear man's 
soul was so exceedingly happy that he appeared to be 
ready to take his flight to heaven. 

" I preached at a new place, where the congregation 
consisted mostly of young people, from, 4 The Son of man 
is come to seek and to save that which was lost,' Luke 
xix, 10. We had a wonderful display of the power of the 
Lord. After I had finished my discourse, the young 
people hung around each other, crying for mercy. Many, 
no doubt, will praise the Lord eternally for that day. A 
remarkable circumstance happened respecting a young 
woman who was brought up in the Quaker persuasion* 
It pleased the Lord to awaken her when very young. 
She experienced the pardoning love of God, and continued 
to enjoy it for some time. By degrees, however, she got 
off her watch, having none to strengthen, but many to 
draw her away. She at length fell from God, and became 
as wild and trifling as ever. Soon after this she was 
entirely deprived of her speech ; the enemy of her soul 
persuaded her to believe that it was a sin for her to do any 
kind of work, or even to dress herself ; and if they gave 
her a book to read, she thought it sinful to turn over a leaf, 
and would read no more unless some one would perform 
this office for her. It was impressed on her mind that 
there was a people in a particular place who served the 
Lord ; and if she could get among them, they would be a 
means of restoring her to her speech. She had never heard 
of a Methodist ; and the place which was revealed to her 
was nearly twenty miles from her residence, where there 
was a young, loving society. Though she knew nothing 
of the way', she set off to find that place and people. Her 
family, missing her, pursued and brought her back, Not 
long after she made a more successful attempt, and found 
the society. The Lord revealed her case to them. There 
was a preacher present, Mr. Daniel Ruff, who consented 
to call a meeting, and they cried to the Lord in her behalf 
that day and the next. She then went into a private room, 
kneeled down to prayer, and continued there till the 
Lord blessed her soul. At the same time her tongue was 
loosened, and she could speak forth the praises of Israel's 
God. She had been dumb about two years. Some time 

5 



98 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. [1779. 



after I came into this neighbourhood, and sent word to 
her mother that I would preach such a day at her house. 
When the day arrived, I took the young woman home, ac- 
companied by many friends, and we were received like 
angels : some thought the Methodists could work miracles. 
Many of the friends and neighbours came, and could not 
but observe how angelic this young woman appeared. She 
was now able to speak and work as well as usual. I bless 
the Lord, who gave me great freedom in preaching on this 
remarkable occasion. The people seemed to believe every 
word which was delivered. The old lady was ready to 
take us in her arms, being so happy, and so well satisfied 
with respect to her daughter," 



CHAPTER VII. 

Having completed his mission in this part of the country; 
in the autumn of the same year he made his second visit 
to the Peninsula, the place where the Lord of the harvest 
had given to him so many souls. Here he travelled ex- 
tensively through the winter, preaching with his usual 
diligence and success. 

The following account of the commencement and pro- 
gress of the work of God in Dorchester county, where the 
citizens were principally members of the Church of Eng- 
land, is taken from his printed Journal and his manuscript 
notes. It began by means of a young lady, who was niece 
to Judge E., of Dorchester county, and sister to the wife 
of the honourable Mr. Basset. Being on a visit, she fell 
in company with the Methodists, by whose means she was 
awakened to a sense of her lost and guilty state, and finally 
converted to God, and so became a pious follower of the 
blessed Jesus. When she returned to her uncle's in 
Dorchester, they thought she was beside herself. She, 
however, persevering in her Christian course, became 
instrumental of the conversion of her sister Mary and a few 
others. Her sister became as zealous for God as herself ; 
and soon after another sister, Mrs. Basset, became a most 
blessed woman. " I have no doubt," says Mr. Garrettson, 



ITT9.3 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 99 

" but that she lived and died a bright witness of sanctifi- 
cation." 

The honourable Mr. Basset was an eminent lawyer in 
the state of Delaware. After he embraced religion, he 
became a member of congress, was afterward appointed 
one of the United States' judges ; and finally, a governor 
of the state of Delaware. The substance of what follows 
Mr. Garrettson says he had from Mr. Basset's own mouth. 
At the time of the conversion of his lady and her sisters, 
who all three were eminently pious, Mr. Basset, being a 
man of the world, and moving in the higher circles of fash- 
ionable society, became greatly distressed in mind on ac- 
count of the Methodists, so that he had but little rest day 
or night. A court being soon to be held in Lewiston, in 
which he had a cause to manage as counsel, he concluded 
that when that should be completed, he would sell his pro- 
perty, and move to some distant part of the country, so as 
to rid himself of the " noisy Methodists." One night, dur- 
ing the session of the court, he went to his bedchamber 
to rest. After falling into a profound sleep, he dreamed 
that he saw two devils in black standing by his bedside, 
who, he thought, had come to take him away. He trem- 
bled, and began to pray. The devils thereupon soon va- 
nished, and were succeeded by two beautiful angels, dressed, 
in white, standing near his bed. These, thought he, are 
messengers for good. Casting his eye toward the farthest 
corner of the room, he saw an aged and very grave look- 
ing man, sitting in a large-armed chair, frowning upon him, 
the angels still standing by his bed. He looked, and be- 
held a beautiful child advance to the aged man, and smil- 
ing pleasantly, began to fondle around him ; but the aged 
man continued to frown. On this his sins were brought 
to his recollection, and it appeared to him that God the 
Father, represented by the aged man, was frowning on him, 
while Jesus Christ, represented by the little child, was 
interceding for him. The angels might justly represent 
the Holy Spirit directing the ministers of Christ, or his 
holy sisters presenting his case in prayer to a throne of 
grace. 

He awoke in a sort of rapture, and immediately dedi- 
cated himself to the God who made him, and became 
a happy Christian, " From what I understood," says 



100 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1780, 



Mr. Garrettson, " Mrs. Basset had been praying for her hus- 
band's conversion, and that very night she dreamed that 
God had converted his soul." 

On returning home from court he met his family, and 
especially his pious lady, joyfully. When he related to her 
what the Lord had done for him ; "I know it," said she 7 
" the blessed God told me so." So far from indulging in 
a desire to move away from the Methodists, they now be- 
came the people of his choice. i( I knew him," says Mr. 
Garrettson, " many years after this, and he lived, I believe, 
like a Christian, and I doubt not died like one, and is gone 
to glory. Mrs. Basset lived but a short time after she 
embraced religion. I was often at the house, and was with 
her in her last sickness, when she seemed filled with the 
perfect love of God. I felt as if the room was filled with 
ministering spirits ; and she left the world praising God." 

Equally remarkable was the conversion of Henry Airey, 
Esq., who was a relation to Mary, the young lady above 
mentioned. " As -he was a man of fashion, and an entire 
stranger to inward religion, he was much afraid she would 
drive his wife out of her senses. He undertook to show 
his visiter that the Methodists were not in the right way ; 
and for this purpose he chose an old book written by a 
Puritan divine a hundred and fifty years ago : but he had 
not read many minutes before conviction seized him, and 
the tears flowed from his eyes. He withdrew and read till 
he thought he must go among the Methodists with his 
book, and compare it with theirs. He did so, and found 
the Methodist publications to agree in substance with that. 
On this occasion I first met with him at Mr. White's. After 
he had laboured some time under distress of soul the Lord 
gave him rest — he felt the burden of guilt removed — and 
now expressed an anxious desire that I should come to the 
county where he resided, being determined to stand by the 
cause as long as he lived." 

" Thursday, Feb. 10, 1780, I arose very early in the 
morning, and addressed the throne of grace. The Lord 
wonderfully refreshed my soul, and I felt a willingness 
to suffer whatever he might permit to come upon me for 
the sake of his cause. I opened my mind to Mr. Asbury, 
who was at Mr. W.'s, and he seemed very desirous I 
should accept the invitation. He then commended me to 



1780.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



101 



the Lord in prayer, and I set out in good spirits, with a 
strong hope that good would be done. The first day I 
got half way, and had a comfortable night. February 1 1th 
was a day of deep exercise. Are others distressed in the 
way that I have been ? I travelled on seemingly with the 
weight of a mill stone. I wept bitterly as I passed along, 
and several times stopped my horse, intending to turn back, 
but was still induced to pursue my way. I got to my dear 
friend's, Mr. iVirey's, some time before night ; and the burden, 
which I felt all the way left me at his door. The dismis- 
sion of it was perceptible, for my spirit did rejoice in God 
my Saviour. I was conducted into a private room, where 
the Lord let me know that I was in the very place in 
which he would have me. 

" In the evening the family were gathered together for 
prayer : I shall never forget the time : I suppose about 
twelve, white and black, were present. The power of the 
Lord came among us. Mrs. Airey was so filled with the 
new wine of Christ's kingdom that she sank to the floor, 
blessing and praising the Lord. And many of the blacks 
were much wrought upon. This night was a time of 
great refreshment to me." 

The following three days Mr. Garrettson preached in 
the neighbourhood to numerous and attentive congrega- 
tions, most of whom were greatly affected under the word, 
and a gracious work commenced among the people. 
Proceeding to another part of the country, he observes, 
u One man was deeply affected only by seeing us. I 
preached at Colonel Vicerey^s, a clever man, who afterward 
became a great friend to us, and to himself too. The 
fields are white for harvest, but the wicked rage, and 
invent lies and mischief. The county court was sitting, 
and some of the heads of it were determined by some 
means to clear the place of such a troublesome fellow. 
For a pretence, they charged me with toryism ; and, I was 
informed, gave a very wicked man liberty, and promised 
to protect him in taking my life. For this purpose he was 
to lie in wait for me the next day. It providentially reached 
my ears that night before I went to bed, and as the wicked 
seemed thus inclined, I thought it expedient to withdraw 
io Mr. Airey's, where I remained two days ; but being 
pressed in spirit, I could stay no longer, so I went to 



102 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1780, 



another part of the county. Many came out to hear, and 
the word was still attended with power to some hearts. 

" Saturday, 25th, my spirit was solemn, and I could not 
but expect that something uncommon would transpire. I 
withdrew to the woods, and spent much time before the 
Lord. I preached with freedom to a weeping flock, my 
friend Airey, who was a magistrate, and a man of note in 
the county, accompanying me to the place. In the evening 
we were repairing to his house, being about to preach there 
the next day, when a company of men, who had imbodied 
themselves, waylaid me, with an intention to take me to 
jail. About sunset they surrounded us, and called me 
their prisoner. They beat my horse, cursed and swore, 
but did not strike me. Some time after night they took 
me to a magistrate who was as much my enemy as any of 
them. When I was judged, and condemned for preaching 
the gospel, the keeper of the peace, who sat in his great 
chair, immediately wrote a mittimus, and ordered me to 
jail. I asked him if he had never heard of an affair in 
Talbot county. Brother I. Hartley* was committed to jail 
for the same crime, that of preaching the gospel. Soon 
after, the magistrate was taken sick unto death, and sent 
for this same preacher out of confinement to pray for him. 
He then made this confession : 4 When I sent you to jail,' 
said he, £ I was fighting against God, and now I am about 
to leave the world, pray for me.' His family were called in, 
and he said to his wife, ' This is a servant of God ; and 
when I die I request he may preach at my funeral. You 
need not think I have not my senses ; this is the true faith,' 
He then gave brother Hartley charge of his family, and 
desired them to embrace that profession. Now, said I, 
I beseech you to think seriously of what you have done, 

* Mr. Garrettson adds the following particulars in a note :— Brother 
Hartley, a dear good man, and an excellent preacher, was so pressed in 
spirit he could no longer contain, and the rulers laid hands on him, and 
confined him in Talbot jail ; but he preached powerfully through the 
window. The blessed God owned his word, and he was instrumental 
in raising a large society. He was confined a long time, till finally they 
thought he might as well preach without as within jail. Shortly after 
he was set at liberty he married a pious young lady, and located. He 
did not live many years, but while he did live, he was very useful, and 
adorned his Christian and ministerial character. He died in the Lord, 
and went to glory." 



1780.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



103 



and prepare to meet God. Be you assured, I am not 
ashamed of the cross of Christ, for I consider it an honour 
to be imprisoned for the gospel of my Lord. My horse 
was brought, and about twelve of the company were to 
attend me to jail. They surrounded me, and two, one 
on each side, held my horse's bridle. The night was very 
dark ; and before we got a mile from the house, on a 
sudden there was a very uncommon flash of lightning, and 
in less than a minute all my foes were dispersed : my 
friend Airey was a little before the company, so that I was 
left alone. I was reminded of that place of Scripture 
where our Lord's enemies fell to the ground, and then 
this portion of Scripture came to me, ' Stand still, and see 
the salvation of God.' It was a very dark, cloudy night, 
and had rained a little. I sat on my horse alone, and 
though I called several times, there was no answer. I 
went on, but had not got far before I met my friend, Mr. 
Airey, returning to look for me. He had accompanied me 
throughout the whole of this affair. We rode on, talking 
of the goodness of God, till we came to a little cottage by 
the roadside, where we found two of my guards almost 
frightened out of their wits. I told them if I was to go to 
jail that night, we ought to be on our way, for it was getting 
late. 'O no!' said one of them, 4 let us stay until the 
morning.' My friend and I rode on, and it was not long 
ere we had a beautiful, clear night. We had not rode far 
before the company collected again, from whence I know 
not. However, they appeared to be amazingly intimidated, 
and the leader of the company rode by the side of me, and 
said, ■ Sir, do you think the affair happened on our account?' 
I told him that I would have him to judge for himself ; re- 
minding him of the aw r fuiness of the day of judgment, and 
the necessity there was of preparing to meet the Judge of 
the whole earth. One of the company swore an oath, and 
another immediately reproved him, saying, 6 How can you 
swear at such a time as this V At length the company 
stopped, and one said, ' We had better give him up for the 
present so they turned their horses and went back. My 
friend and I pursued our way. True it is, £ The wicked 
are like the troubled sea, whose waters cast up mire and 
dirt.' We had not gone far before they pursued us again, 
and said, i We cannot give him up.' They accompanied 



104 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1780, 



us a few minutes, again left us, and we saw no more of 
them that night. A little before midnight we arrived safe 
at my friend's house. Blessed be God, the dear waiting 
family were looking out, and received us with joy : and we 
had a precious sweet family meeting. I retired to my room 
as humble as a little child, praising my great Deliverer. 

" During the remainder of the night, though asleep, I 
was transported with the visions which passed through my 
mind. I had a confidence in the morning that my beloved 
Lord would support me. I saw in the visions of the night 
many sharp and terrible weapons formed against me ; but 
none could penetrate or hurt me ; for as soon as they came 
near me they were turned into feathers, and brushed by me 
as soft as down. 

" Sunday, 27th, at eleven o'clock many came out to hear 
the word, and it was expected my enemies would be upon 
me. I was informed that not a few brought short clubs 
under their coats to defend me in case of an attack, for 
many had just about religion enough to fight for it. As I 
was giving out the hymn, standing between the hall and 
room doors, about twenty of my persecutors came up in a 
body. I was amazed to see one of them, who was an old 
man, and his head as white as a sheet. The ringleader 
rushed forward, presented a pistol, and laid hold of me. 
Blessed be God! my confidence was so strong in him that 
I feared none of these things. Some of the audience, who 
stood next to me, gave me a sudden jerk ; I was presently 
in the room, and the door shut. As soon as I could, I 
opened it, and beckoning to my friends, desired that they 
would not injure my enemies ; that I did not want to keep 
from them, but was willing to go to jail. If I had not spoken 
in this manner, I believe much blood would have been 
shed. I began to exhort, and almost the whole congrega- 
tion were in tears. The women in a particular manner 
were amazingly agitated. I desired my horse to be got, and 
I was accompanied to Cambridge, where I was kept in a 
tavern from twelve o'clock till nearly sunset, surrounded 
by the wicked ; and it was a great mercy of God that my 
life was preserved. 

" I told my enemies not to give themselves any uneasi- 
ness, for I thought it an honour to suffer in the cause of 
Christ. After my horse and baggage were ready, and I 



1780.] LIFE OF REV, T. C-ARRETTSON". 105 

was equipped for the expedition, we started, two and two* 
My friend and I rode together, and half the company be- 
fore, and half behind. This was on the Lord's day. When 
we came to the ho£el, my friend and I were permitted to 
occupy a room adjoining the large public room. The 
inhabitants of the place seemed to be coming and going 
the whole of the day, and kept the room filled the whole 
of the time, drinking and rejoicing over their prey. My 
friend was a young soldier, and the trial was too great for 
him. One of the company, a stout man, was about to 
break in to abuse, (for their hatred against him was almost 
as great as it was against me,) and actually did strike at 
him, with all his force, with a large loaded whip, and in all 
probability would have killed him, had not the whip struck 
the top of the door. My friend was young and active, and 
he instantly sprang, and as quick as a flash sent his fist 
into the fellow's temple, who, like a Goliah under David's 
sling, fell flat to the floor, and there was a roar of laughter 
through the house, and a declaration, 1 The Methodists will 
fight.' At a convenient time I got my friend around the 
neck, and wept, and told him he had grieved my spirit. 
He said he was sorry on account of grieving me ; but that 
it was almost as sudden as thought : that it appeared to 
him that his arm was nerved for the purpose, and that he 
did not feel as if he had done wrong. And I must say, I 
think they behaved rather better afterward. 

" A little before night I was thrust into prison, and my 
enemies took away the key, that none might administer to 
my necessities, I had a dirty floor for my bed, my saddle 
bags for my pillow, and two large windows open, with a 
cold east wind blowing upon me : but I had great conso- 
lation in my Lord, and could say, ' Thy will be done.' 
During my confinement here, I was much drawn out in 
prayer, reading, writing, and meditation. I believe I had 
the prayers of my good friend Mr. iVsbury ; and the book 
which he sent me, Mr. Rutherford's Letters, during his 
confinement, together with the soul-comforting and strength- 
ening letters which 1 received from my pious friends, 
were rendered a great blessing to me. The Lord was re- 
markably good to me, so that I experienced a prison to be 
like a paradise ; and I had a heart to pray for my worst 
enemies, My soul was so exceedingly happy I scarcely 

5* 



106 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1780. 



knew how my days and nights passed away. The Bible 
was never sweeter to me. I never had a greater love to 
God's dear children. I never saw myself more unworthy. 
I never saw a greater beauty in the cross of Christ ; for 
I thought I could, if required, go cheerfully to the stake in 
so good a cause. I was not at all surprised with the 
cheerfulness of the ancient martyrs, who were able in the 
flames to clap their glad hands. Sweet moments I had 
with my dear friends who came to the prison window. 

Happy the man who finds the grace, 
The blessing of God's chosen race : 
The wisdom coming from above, 
The faith which sweetly works by love. 

" Many, both acquaintances and strangers, came to visit 
me from far and near, and I really believe I never was the 
means of doing more good for the time : for the country 
seemed to be much alarmed, and the Methodists among 
whom I had laboured, to whom I had written many epis- 
tles, were much stirred up to pray for me. I shall never 
forget the kindness I received from dear brother and sis- 
ter Airey. They suffered much for the cause of God in 
Dorchester county, for which, if faithful, they will be amply 
compensated in a better world. 

" Mr. and Mrs. Airey were remarkably kind, and sent 
me every thing which was necessary. My brother Thomas, 
who lived about a hundred miles off, heard of my impri- 
sonment, and came to see me, and brought a letter from 
Judge White to Mr. Harrison, a gentleman of note, who 
was the greatest enemy I had in town. After reading the 
letter, he not only invited my brother to put up at his house, 
but went and got the prison key, let my brother come in, 
and next morning he came to the jail and invited him out 
to breakfast, and told me he would do any thing he could 
for me. Before this he was as bitter as gall. One day, 
when an old Quaker friend came to see me, he came and 
abused him, and strove to drive him away : the Quaker 
made him ashamed of his conduct. My enemies sent a spy, 
who feigned himself a penitent, and as I was coming down 
stairs to converse with him through the window, it came 
powerfully to my mind, He is an enemy, sent if possible to 
draw something out of you concerning the war. He cried 3 



1780.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



107 



and said he was a miserable sinner, that he was afraid he 
would go to hell, and wanted to know what he should do 
to be saved. I told him to leave off swearing and drunken- 
ness, and return, and I would give him farther directions. 
I afterward found he was the very character I had sup- 
posed. 

My crime of preaching the gospel was so great that 
no common court would try my cause. There appeared 
to be a probability of my staying in jail till a general court, 
which would not convene in nearly twelve months. My 
good friend, Mr. Asbury, went to the governor of Maryland, 
and he befriended me; had I been his brother, he could 
not have done more for me. The manner in which he 
proceeded to relieve me was this : — I was an inhabitant of 
Maryland by birth and property : I could likewise claim a 
right in the Delaware state, which state was more favour- 
able to such pestilent fellows. I was carried before the 
governor of Delaware. This gentleman was a friend to 
our society. He met me at the door, and welcomed me 
in, assuring me he would do anything he could to help me. 
A recommendatory letter was immediately despatched to 
the governor of Maryland ; and I was entirely at liberty. 
O ! how wonderfully did the people of Dorchester rage : but 
the word of the Lord spread through all that country, and 
hundreds both white and black have experienced the love of 
Jesus. Since that time I have preached to more than three 
thousand people in one congregation, not far from the 
place where I was imprisoned ; and many of my worst 
enemies have bowed to the sceptre of our sovereign Lord. 
The labours of Caleb Peddicord, and Thomas S. Chew, 
were much blessed in this place, in the first reviving and 
spreading of the work. 

"After I left my confinement, I was more than ever 
determined to be for God, and none else. I travelled ex- 
tensively. The Lord was with me daily, and my spirit 
rejoiced in God my Saviour. In visiting the young so* 
cieties, after I left jail, we had blessed hours ; for many 
came to hear, sinners cried for mercy, and God's dear 
people rejoiced. 

" Friday, 24th, was a solemn fast, being good Friday, 
the day on which the great Redeemer gave up his precious 
life. Three days after, being in a blessed family, I had 



108 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1780. 



great sweetness both in public and private ; and before I 
lay down to rest, I was very desirous of being lost and 
swallowed up in the love of the Redeemer, and of feeling 
the witness of perfect love. After I lay down to rest, I 
was in a kind of visionary way for several hours. About 
one I awoke very happy, arose from the bed, and addressed 
the throne of grace. I then lighted a candle, and spent 
nearly two hours in writing the exercises of the night. I saw 
myself travelling through a dismal place, encompassed with 
many dangers ; I saw the devil, who appeared very furious ; 
he came near to me, and declared with bitterness that he 
would cause my death ; for he seemed to suggest, You have 
done my kingdom much harm : thus saying he began 
pelting me with stones, and bedaubing me with dirt, till I 
felt wounded almost to death, and began to fear I should 
fall by the hand of my enemy. But in the height of my 
distress, my adored Saviour appeared to me, whom I 
thought the most beautiful person that ever my eyes beheld. 
4 1 am your friend,' said he, 'and will support you in your 
journey; fear not, for your enemy is chained.' I seemed 
to receive much strength, and the power of mine enemy was 
so broken that he could not move one foot after me : all he 
could do was to threaten, which he did loudly till I got 
out of his hearing. Being safe from these difficulties, I 
looked forward and saw a very high hill which I was to 
ascend, but feared that I never should be able to reach the 
top : I entered on my journey, and got about half way up, 
so fatigued that I thought every moment I must sink to 
the earth. I then lay down to rest myself a little, and 
seemed to fall into a kind of dose ; but I had not lain long 
before the person who met me in the valley passed by, and 
smote me on the side, saying, ' Rise up, and be going ; 
there is no rest for you there.' With that I received 
strength, and arrived at the top of the hill. I then looked 
back, and saw my enemy at a great distance. I was 
greatly surprised when I saw the place through which I 
had passed ; for on every hand there appeared to be pits, 
holes, and quagmires in abundance. I was much wounded 
and all bespattered with dirt. I looked around to see if I 
could find any house: and at a distance I espied a little 
cottage, and made up to it : when I got near the door, two 
angels met me, and said, ' Come in, come in, thou blessed 



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LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



109 



of the Lord, here is entertainment for weary travellers.' 
The interior of the cottage appeared to be the most beau- 
tiful place I had ever seen. After I went in I thought it 
was heaven, filled with blessed saints and angels. One and 
another broke out, < Glory! glory!' &c, &c, till the place 
was filled with praises. One spoke to me and said, 4 This 
is not heaven, as you suppose, neither are we angels, but 
sanctified Christians : and this is the second rest. And 
it is your privilege, and the privilege of all the children of 
God.' With that I thought I had faith to believe, and in 
a moment my spotted garments were gone, a white robe 
was given me, and I had the language and appearance of 
one of this blessed society : I then awoke. 

"Before this, I had an ardent desire truly to know my 
state, and to sink deep into God. When I awoke, I seemed 
all taken up with divine things. I spent part of the remain- 
der of the night in writing, prayer, and praises : and had 
a strong witness of union with my blessed Lord. My bro- 
ther T., from the western shore, came to see me, travelled 
several weeks with' me, with whom I had blessed times ; 
for I believe it was on this visit he felt a witness of par- 
doning love to his soul. 

"Upon a certain occasion, I was wonderfully led to 
think of the place called hell, and was severely buffeted 
by the devil. ' Hell,' he suggested, 6 is not as bad a place 
as you represent: how'can God be a merciful being, as 
you set him forth, if he sends people to such a dismal 
place to be tormented for ever for a few sins V I was ear- 
nestly desirous to know what kind of a place it was ; and 
the Lord condescended to satisfy me in the dead season 
of the night. After I fell into a deep sleep, I seemed to 
enter through a narrow gate into eternity, and was met by 
a person who conducted me to the place called hell, but I 
had a very imperfect view of it. I requested to be taken 
where I could see it better, if that could be done. I was 
then conveyed to a spot where I had full view of it. It 
appeared as large as the sea, and I saw myriads of damned 
souls in every posture that miserable beings could get into. 
This sight exceeded any thing of the kind that ever had 
entered into my mind. But it was not for me to know 
any of them. Were I to attempt to describe the place as 
it was" represented to me, I could not do it. Had I the pen 



110 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1780. 



of a ready writer, and angelic wisdom, I should fall short. 
I cried out to my guide, It is enough. With that he 
brought me to the place where he first met me. I then 
desired a discovery of heaven : my guide said, 4 Not now, 
return ; you have seen sufficient for once ; and be more 
faithful in warning sinners, and have no more doubts about 
the reality of hell.' Then I instantly awoke." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

The Methodists in this country, as well as in Europe, 
were considered at this time only as a society. The preach- 
ers were not ordained, and therefore did not claim the right 
of administering the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's 
supper, nor of performing the rites of marriage and burial 
of the dead. These circumstances became the source of 
considerable uneasiness in the societies. Not having fel- 
lowship with many of the parochial clergy of the Church of 
England on account of the irregularity of their lives, and 
the want of evangelical doctrine in their sermons, the 
Methodists were unwilling to receive the ordinances of 
Christ at their hands. 

In addition to this, many places, particularly at the 
south, were entirely destitute of a settled ministry of any 
denomination. To remedy the inconveniences arising 
from this state of things, some of the preachers, no doubt 
from the best of motives, for they appear to have been a 
company of holy men, seconded the views of the people 
in respect to having the ordinances among themselves. 
Mr. Asbury, however, and most of the northern preachers, 
resisted these measures, and endeavoured to persuade them 
to remain as they were until they could advise with Mr. 
Wesley, and receive his directions. 

In the opinion of Mr. Garrettson, who was present when 
the question respecting administering the ordinances was 
discussed, those brethren in Virginia who advocated the 
measure have been misrepresented, as though they were 
at the head of a schism. In his manuscript notes, Mr. 
Garrettson says, " Since the death of Mr. Asbury, I am 



1780.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



Ill 



the oldest preacher in the American connection, and there- 
fore I think it my duty to explain this business." He 
then goes on to state, that at the Deer Creek conference, 
which was held May 20th, 1777, Mr. Rankin in the chair, 
it was asked, " Shall the preachers in America administer 
the ordinances^" The answer was, "We will suspend 
them until the next conference." 

May 19th, 1778, the regular conference was held in 
Leesburg, Virginia. Mr. Rankin and his British brethren, 
except Mr. Asbury, who was not present at this conference, 
were gone home. Mr. William Watters, being the oldest 
American preacher, was called to the chair. The same 
question was proposed again, " Shall we administer the 
ordinances ?" " I was present," says Mr. Garrettson, " and 
the answer was, ' Lay it over until the next conference? which 
was appointed to be held in Fluvanna county, Ya., May 
18th, 1779, at what was called the Broken-backed Church." 
In consequence of the troubles arising from the state of 
the war, which then raged with increased violence, the 
northern brethren did not attend the Fluvanna conference ; 
but for their "convenience," says Mr. Garrettson, "called 
a little conference in Kent county, in the province of Dela- 
ware, April 28th, 1779, at Judge White's, where Mr. As- 
bury had been confined to avoid the rage of his enemies. 
At this conference Mr. Asbury was present, and pre- 
sided." 

At the time appointed, the southern brethren met in the 
regular conference, and the same question respecting 
administering the ordinances was discussed, and was 
finally decided in the affirmative. They accordingly set 
apart several of the oldest preachers to travel extensively, 
and to administer the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's 
supper, and to perform the marriage ceremony ; and at the 
conclusion appointed their next conference to be held in 
May, 1780, at Manicantown, Virginia. " We at the north," 
says Mr. Garrettson, " were opposed to this innovation, 
and it was our pleasure to meet in Baltimore, April 24th, 
1780; and brother Asbury, William Watters, and myself 
were appointed a committee to meet those brethren at their 
conference, and endeavour to effect a reconciliation. After 
much prayer and consultation, they unanimously agreed 
to a suspension of the ordinances for one year, and to call 



112 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1780. 



a general conference in Baltimore the next spring ; in the 
mean time to consult Mr. Wesley, by whose judgment they 
would abide." 

Now although these brethren erred in their judgment, 
they undoubtedly manifested much of the meekness of 
Christianity in agreeing, for the sake of peace and har- 
mony, to relinquish their project, and wait for farther 
advice from their venerable founder. No doubt, also, they 
were prompted to this step, not from a restless ambition, 
but from a love to the souls of the people who had been 
converted to God by their ministry, and who were anxious 
to receive the ordinances of Christ at their hands. 

In preventing a division in the societies at this time, 
which must have been attended with very deleterious 
effects on the work of God, Mr. Garrettson took a very 
active and efficient agency, in conjunction with Messrs. 
Asbury, Watters, and Drumgole. Mr. Asbury says, "When 
we could not come to a conclusion with them, we withdrew 
and left them to deliberate on the conditions I offered, which 
were to suspend the measures they had taken for one year." 
To this they refused to submit, until the next day, when, 
says Mr. Asbury, "they were brought to an agreement 
while I had been praying, as with a broken heart, in the 
house we went to lodge at, and brothers Watters and Gar- 
rettson had been praying up stairs, where the conference 
sat. We heard what they had to say, and surely the hand 
of God may be seen in all this. There might have been 
twenty promising preachers, and three thousand people 
seriously affected by this separation ; but the Lord would 
not suffer this." Thus, by the mutual endeavours of these 
holy men of God, this breach, which seemed to threaten 
the dissolution of the body, was healed, and peace and 
harmony restored. Mr. Garrettson says, " Having ac- 
complished our business, we set our faces to the north 
with gladness of heart, praising the Lord for his great 
goodness." Returning to Baltimore, where he was ap- 
pointed to labour, he set apart a day for fasting and prayer, 
and the Lord abundantly blessed him. Such, however, 
was the ardour of his soul in behalf of lost sinners that 
he did not long confine himself to the city ; for we soon 
find him in the country, where he makes the following 
reflections : "With delight I viewed the rising morn ; the 



1780.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



113 



fields are clad with a beautiful green ; the creation is smil- 
ing, and the birds tuning their notes. Surely an immortal 
spirit ought to praise the Creator of the universe." After 
labouring for several weeks in Baltimore and the adjoining 
county with great success, he crossed the Chesapeake 
again to the Peninsula. " Having," says he, " a good 
horse, and being seldom sick enough to desist from travel- 
ling, or weary enough to complain, I could travel from 
twenty to fifty miles a day, and preach from one to four 
sermons. During the five or six weeks I remained here, 
I visited most of the circuits : the congregations were 
larger than usual, and never for the time had I brighter 
prospects. Many evil reports were raised against me ; 
but my manner was to go straight forward in the line of 
my duty. When I returned, many gathered at the Fork 
Chapel from all quarters ; and among the crowd I espied 
my old uncle T., who had heard and believed the reports ; 
and was determined, as I understood, to detect me in the 
midst of the people. Never shall I forget the day ; for the 
Lord manifested his power: the heart of my dear old 
uncle was softened, and tears flowed down his face. After 
he left the chapel he said to some of his acquaintances, 
i Surely my cousin is belied. 5 He came and begged me 
to go home with him, which I did. The next day he 
followed me five miles ; and the tears flowed plentifully. 
When we were about to part, he asked me what compen- 
sation he should make me for the benefit which he had 
received. ' Will you,' said he, ' receive a suit of clothes V 
I thanked him kindly, telling him that I had as much 
clothing as was necessary. He then put his hand in his 
pocket, and pulled out eighty continental dollars, which at 
that time were worth about twenty hard dollars: at first 
I refused ; but he would not be denied. So I took them, 
and some time after gave them to brother S., a man who 
needed them, When we parted he told me that he expect- 
ed to see me no more : it was even so, for some time after 
the Lord called him away. 

" I continued in this circuit till the following spring, 
and enjoyed precious moments. Many were brought into 
gospel liberty, and added to the society; and some received 
the second blessing. I trust I grew in grace and know- 
ledge during my stay ; and felt myself an unprofitable 



114 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1780 



servant : very unworthy of the many favours which I re- 
ceived from the precious, loving followers of Christ in this 
circuit." 

Just before Mr. Garrettson visited the Peninsula, he 
gives the following account : " I went to bed very happy, 
but my night's visions were uncommonly strange. I thought 
I was taken dangerously ill, and expected shortly to be in 
eternity. I doubt not but I felt just as dying persons do. 
I appeared to be surrounded with thousands of devils, who 
were all striving to take from me my confidence ; and for 
a time it seemed almost gone. I began an examination 
from my first awakenings — then my conversion — my call 
to preach — the motives which induced me to enter this 
great work — my intention, and life from the beginning. 
In the time of this examination, every fear was dismissed 
— every fiend vanished ; and a band of holy angels suc- 
ceeded with the most melodious music that I ever heard. 
I then began to ascend, accompanied by this heavenly 
host ; and thought every moment the body would drop oft, 
and my spirit take its flight. After ascending a vast 
height, I was overshadowed with a cloud as white as a 
sheet ; and in that cloud I saw a person the most beautiful 
that my eyes ever beheld. I wanted to be dislodged from 
this tabernacle, and take my everlasting flight. That glo- 
rious person, more bright than the sun in its meridian 
brilliancy, spoke to me as follows : ' If you continue faith- 
ful to the end, this shall be your place ; but you cannot 
come now, return and be faithful ; there is more work for 
you to do.' Immediately I awoke, and my spirit was so 
elevated with a sense of eternal things that I thought I 
should sleep no more that night. Great and glorious dis- 
coveries have been made to me both sleeping and waking; 
but all the promises of heaven and eternal glory have been 
conditional. In Scripture we have a little, but significant 
word if- — if you are faithful until death, you shall have a 
crown of life. I would advise all the children of God to be 
very careful and watchful, and continue in well doing until 
death. Some suppose that we ought not to put any de- 
pendence in dreams and visions. We should lay the same 
stress on them in this our day as wise and good men have 
done in all ages. Very great discoveries were made to 
Peter, Paul, and others in their night visions. But is 



1781.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



115 



there not a danger of laying too much stress on them? 
We are indeed in danger from a variety of sources ; and 
the only safe way to escape from the illusions of error is 
to try every thing by the written standard : if enlightened 
by the Holy Spirit, by taking heed to that word which is 
a lamp to our path, we shall not be suffered to go astray." 



CHAPTER IX. 

On the 24th day of January, 1781, Mr. Garrettson set 
off to visit Little York, in Pennsylvania. Stopping at a 
tavern for the night, he lectured on the 7th chapter of St. 
Matthew, and in time of family prayer the Lord powerfully 
awakened a gentleman who lodged there also. 

" Tuesday, 25th, I went into the town, and in the after- 
noon the bell rang, and I preached in the Dutch church. 
The gentleman's lady (who was awakened the evening 
before) got her heart touched. When he came home in 
the evening, he spoke to this effect : 4 My dear, I heard 
such a man last night as I never saw or heard before, and 
if what he said be true, we are all in the way to hell.' 4 1 
suspect,' said she, 4 he is the same man whom I heard this 
afternoon in Wagoner's church. I believe his doctrine is 
true, and that we are all in the way to ruin.' 4 Well,' 
said he, ' let us set about our salvation.' 4 1 am willing,' 
said she. 

44 Having an appointment, I preached at Mr. G.'s, the 
Lutheran minister's : and after meeting we had an agree- 
able conversation. His mother and sister, whose hearts 
the Lord had touched, accompanied me to Berlin, where 
I preached to a large congregation with great freedom. 
I again had an opportunity in the evening to hold up a 
loving Saviour to the listening multitude. 

44 By this time a persecution had arisen among the peo- 
ple in Little York and its vicinity : the enemy of souls had 
taken an advantage of my two friends who were awakened. 
Being under deep distress, and sorely tempted of the devil, 
not knowing what to do, at length they prepared water, 
and washed themselves ; then put on clean clothes, and 



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LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETT SOX. 



[1781. 



concluded that it was the new birth. After they came 
from their room, they kissed their two children, a son and 
daughter well nigh grown, and told them they were new 
born. Being in a great measure bereft of their senses, 
and the enemy ready to take every advantage, ; Come,' 
said they, ' old things must be done away, and all things 
must become new.' They then began to throw their old 
clothing and blankets on the lire ; and among other things 
they threw on a large bundle of paper money. ; This/' 
said he, * is an old thing and must be done away/ The 
neighbours, being alarmed, ran in and saved many things ; 
but I suppose they did not sustain less than fifteen pounds, 
loss. A minister was sent for, and he desired a doctor to 
be called ; for they knew not what was the matter. A 
Quaker woman came to see them, who said, ; she did not 
know of any one that could be of service to them, unless 
it was the man that was the occasion of it.' The cry was, 
Such a man ought not to go through the country : and that 
some desired me to be apprehended and put into jail. I was 
about twenty miles off, but as soon as I heard of it, mounted 
my horse, and got to them as quickly as possible. When 
the neighbours saw me. several gathered into the room. 
When I entered the house, I perceived that the woman 
looked strange, and the man was in bed, under the hands 
of the doctor, with several blister-plasters on him. I sat 
down by his bedside (she sat on the foot of the bed) and 
asked him what he wanted. • To be new born.' said he. 
Taking out my little Bible, I read and lectured on a chap- 
ter ; and sensibly felt that the Lord was present to heal. 
It brought to my mind the time when St. Peter visited 
Cornelius. I believe in the time of the exhortation and 
prayer the Lord not only opened the way of salvation to 
those two distressed ones, but to several others who came 
in ; and we had a previous sweet time. I desired them 
to take his blister plasters off. Glory to God! he restored 
them, not only to their natural but spiritual senses. A 
good and gracious God has his own way of working among 
the children of men. Though at first this circumstance 
caused me great distress of mind, in the end it was for 
good ; many were astonished and brought to a serious 
consideration. Although the church door was shut against 
me, a large school-room was opened, in which I preached 



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117 



a sermon on the occasion, to about three hundred souls : 
the Lord touched the hearts of many ; and my two mad 
people (as they had been called) were able to rejoice in 
the Lord. Soon after this a loving society was formed in 
the neighbourhood. 

" Wednesday. 22d, I had a tedious journey to Colches- 
ter ; but found the parents of one family, who were awa- 
kened when I was there before, mourning for Jesus ; and 
I had freedom to preach to the people. In the morning I 
set out again for Berlin, and missed my way. I am bur- 
dened — -surely it is a burden which the Lord hath laid upon 
me, and it is for the best. I called at a house to inquire 
'or the road ; I heard a dismal groaning and lamenting 
within. I alighted from my horse and went in ; and found 
the woman of the house wringing her hands and mourning 
bitterly. Good woman, said I, what is the matter with you 1 
1 Sir,' said she, 1 have you never heard what has happened 1 
I have sold my three little children to the devil, and on such 
a time he is to come for them.' I can prove to you. said I, 
that it is out of your power to sell your children to the 
devil, for they belong to God. I read and explained to her 
parts of several chapters ; but it seemed all in vain. Her 
husband came in, and I desired him to get a horse, and 
take her to preaching that afternoon. After he had got the 
horse, I desired her to make ready, and go to preaching 
with her husband. 1 O,' said she, 1 I cannot think of leav- 
ing my dear little children in the arms of the devil.' After 
some time she was prevailed on to go. Her husband told 
me that she had carried a razor in her bosom for three 
weeks with an intention, first, to take the lives of her children 
before the day came that she thought the devil was to come 
for them, and then to take her own life. I preached a ser- 
mon suited to her condition, and it pleased the Lord to 
visit her soul in mercy ; so that after preaching she came 
to me in a rapture of joy, blessing and praising God that 
she ever saw my face. She became a olessed pious wo- 
man. I then knew the cause of my being lost. O God, 
thou art good, and I will praise thee ! thou art kind, and I 
will give glory to thy holy name ! 

" Friday, February 24th, I returned to town, and the 
persecution raged so furiously, that I thought it most 
expedient to preach at Mr, W.'s, a mile out of town, 



118 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1781. 



Many gathered, and we had a moving time. The next 
day we had a powerful season ; the hearts of some of my 
enemies were reached. 

w Sunday, February 26th, I never saw so many out in 
this place before, and even some who had thought it a sir., 
to hear me were present, and I never witnessed a more 
general moving in anyplace where preaching had been so 
short a time. In this country there were. I think, sixteen 
different denominations, and some of all seemed zealous in 
their way. In the afternoon I again returned and preached 
at D. W/s, where one woman was struck under conviction, 
and cried aloud for mercy. There was a shaking: through 
the whole assembly. I felt the power of faith, and was 
greatly enlightened in the Holy Scriptures."' 

Returning to town again, he found more peace than 
formerly. 

" Tuesday, March 1st, being desired the day before to 
visit a distressed man, one who was troubled with an evil 
spirit, between daybreak and sunrise I called his minister 
out of bed, and desired him to go with me. We went, 
and I desired all to leave the room, except the distressed 
man, his wife, the minister, and myself. I then desired 
him to open to me his case. He said that 1 for a Ions: 
time the devil had followed him. and that he had frequently 
seen him with his bodily eyes.' The dear man was under 
conviction, but knew not what was the matter with him. 
I told him my experience, and gave him as good directions 
as I was capable of. I prayed for him. and so likewise 
did the minister in Dutch. I understood afterward that 
he was troubled no more in the same way, and he became 
one of my quiet hearers. 

" I visited the country, and discovered great displays of 
the awakening power of God : for many precious people, 
both Dutch and English, were inquiring the way to heaven. 
I again returned to town, and preached to about three 
hundred people by candlelight ; but some were offended. 
I appointed to preach the next evening. In town there 
were many soldiers billeted, and the officers declared 
that if I attempted to preach again, they would take me to 
jail: so I understood by my friends, who desired me to 
decline. I was not afraid of their threats, but in the 
evening attended the appointment. Shortly after I hac* 



1781.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOIn. 



119 



xaken my text, 1 Quench not the Spirit.' 1 Thess. v, 19, 
several officers, with a company of soldiers, came to the 
place, but the house was so crowded that none could get in 
but the officers, who fixed themselves by my right hand ; 
one of whom stood on a bench with his staff in his hand, 
lifted up several times either to strike or frighten me ; but 
had a bat or an owl lighted on the wall, I should have 
been as much afraid. The devil cannot lead his factors 
farther than the length of his chaiu. After sermon was 
ended, all withdrew, and no harm was done. I was sur- 
prised to see the same officers come peaceably to hear the 
word the next night. The next day I had an invitation to 
preach to the soldiers ; but as I was under a necessity of 
leaving town, I could not." 

Notwithstanding the opposition of some, Mr. Garrettson 
continued to travel through the country, and to preach 
with his usual zeal and success. While one cried out, 
" Sir, can you tell me what I shall do to be saved, for I 
am the wickedest man in the whole country?'' others said, 
" This is the right religion ;" and so great was the influence 
of truth, that although he observed that he was never in a 
place where there was such a variety of sects, it seemed 
to him as if sects and names would be lost, and the name 
of Christ be all in all. During his labours in this part of 
his Lord's vineyard, which was a little over two months, 
he says that he " preached in more than twenty different 
places, and thought that more than three hundred people 
were under powerful awakenings, besides a number who 
had already found the pearl of great price. About one 
hundred had joined the societies.'' 

On the 22d he left the circuit for conference in the city 
of Baltimore, where he arrived, after a ride of sixty miles, 
about sunset, and heard a sermon in the evening. 

At this conference they had great peace, as all the 
preachers agreed to abide by the decision of Mr. Wesley 
respecting the ordinances. 

This year, 1781, in Virginia, where Mr. Garrettson 
was appointed to travel, was a time of great distress, on 
account of the war. Lord Cornwallis was then harassing 
the people with his army, and the Americans were exerting 
themselves to oppose his progress ; so that by the inarching 
and countermarching of armies, and frequent skirmishes, 



120 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1781. 



the minds of the people were constantly excited with fear 
and perplexity • a state of mind very unfavourable to the 
progress of religion. 

Another circumstance tended not a little to arrest the 
progress of truth and righteousness. Though the disputes 
respecting the ordinances were amicably terminated among 
the preachers who composed the conference, yet in Virginia 
and North Carolinia there were some local preachers, and 
many of the private members, who were not so easily 
pacified. One object in sending Mr. Garrettson into those 
parts appears to have been, being a son of peace, and 
possessing considerable influence among preachers and 
people, that he might be instrumental in restoring union 
and confidence among the brethren. This, after consider- 
able labour, accompanied with much prayer, he in a great 
measure accomplished before the end of the year. 

Amid the troubles arising from these sources, Mr. Gar- 
rettson found his mind much refreshed, and his hands 
strengthened, by the good countenance and spiritual con- 
versation of the Rev. Mr. Jarret, a pious clergyman of the 
Church of England. Mr. Jarret received the Methodists 
with open arms, invited Mr. Garrettson into his pulpit, and 
as the Methodists had not the ordinances of God's house 
among themselves, Mr. Jarret supplied this lack of service 
by inviting them to the table of the Lord in his church, and 
occasionally administering baptism and the Lord's supper 
to them in other places. Of this pious and zealous clergy- 
man, Mr. Garrettson makes honourable mention. 

" I have had," says he, " some happy seasons in his 
congregation, particularly on sacramental occasions. At 
one time, about three hundred of his parishioners com- 
muned, and the place seemed awful, on account of the 
power and presence of God. Mr. Jarret told me that 
when a lad, while studying under President Davies, he was 
brought under travail of soul, and that when the burden 
was removed, and he received regenerating grace, he was 
as sensible of it as he would have been, (to use his own 
expression,) if a ton weight had been rolled from his 
body." 

He arrived on his circuit, Essex, in Virginia, June 4th, 
1781, and going to an appointment at Ellis's Chapel, he 
says, " As I entered the door, I saw a man in the pulpit 



1781.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 121 

dressed in black, engaged in prayer. I soon perceived 
he was a man bereft of his reason, I went into the pulpit 
and desired him to desist. After he ended, I gave out his 
text, and began to preach. But I had no other way to 
stop him than to desire the people to withdraw. His 
testimony was, that he was a prophet sent of God to teach 
the people ; and that it was revealed to him a person was 
to interrupt him in his discourse. After a few minutes 
the people returned, and all was still. I then gave out, 
' Feed my sheep,' John xxi, 17. I had liberty in showing, 
1, The character mentioned in the text — sheep ; 2, Why 
the followers of our Lord might be called sheep ; and, 
3, How the sheep are to be fed. 1, The Shepherd ; 2, The 
food ; and, 3, The manner of feeding the flock. The pro- 
phet returned home, and that night he told his family at 
such an hour he would go into a trance ; and that they must 
not bury him till after such a time, should he not survive. 
Accordingly, to appearance, he was in a trance. The next 
day I was sent for to visit him. Many were weeping 
around the bed, in which he lay like a corpse, for I could 
not perceive that he breathed. He was once happy in 
God, and a sensible, useful man. About the time of which 
he spoke, he came to himself. Satan was partly disap- 
pointed ; for in some measure he was restored to his rea- 
son, and I took him part of the way around the circuit with 
me. What was the cause of this ? Satan prompted him 
to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, 
and so he fell into the condemnation of the devil. I had 
a hope before we parted, that his fallen soul was restored. 
Some time after this, he began again to preach Christ ; and 
I trust was more humble than ever. I continued on this 
circuit about three months, had many happy hours and some 
distressing ones. Two things were a great distress to my 
mind, — 1, the spirit of fighting; and 2, that of slavery, 
which ran among the people. I was resolved to be found 
in my duty, and keep back no part of the counsel of God. 
Day and night I could hear the roaring of the cannon, for 
I was not far from Yorktown during the siege and the 
surrender of Cornwallis. Many of our pious friends were 
absolutely against fighting, and some of them suffered 
much .on that account, for they were compelled, or taken by 
force into the field ; though they would sooner have lost 

6 



122 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [178-1, 



their own lives than take the life of any human creature, 
I saw it my duty to cry down this kind of proceeding, 
declaring that it could not be justified in the oracles of God. 
I was, in a particular manner, led to preach against the 
practise of slave holding. Several were convinced of the 
impiety of the practice, and liberated their slaves : others 
who did not liberate them, were convinced that they ought 
to use them better than they had done. Had it not been 
for these two evils, I might have been more popular among 
the people. I preached at a quarterly meeting at Mabery's 
chapel, where there were about two thousand present, of 
all ranks ; and being pressed in spirit, I cried, ' Do justice, 
love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.' There were 
more than a thousand people who could not get into the 
chapel, and some of those without called out for an officer 
to take me. After meeting was ended, I walked through 
the midst of them, but no one laid hands on me." 

After preaching in several places, in all of which he 
found the power and presence of God to be with him, it 
seems he went to form a new circuit ; for he says, " I am 
now in my element, forming a new circuit, and I have 
pleasing prospects. I preached in one place, and there 
was a great shaking among the people. I preached again 
the next day, and the power of the Lord in a most won- 
derful manner came down. I was somewhat surprised — 
the rich are brought to mourn for Christ. Several fell 
under the word. A major was so powerfully wrought on, 
that I suppose he would have fallen from his seat had not 
the colonel held him up. A large society was united in 
this place, mostly of the rich. About this time I received 
a letter from Mr. Asbury, in which I was informed that he 
could not visit the south, and that it was his desire I should 
see to stationing the preachers." 

It seems that at the request of Mr. Asbury, who was 
the general assistant under Mr. Wesley, Mr. Garrettson 
travelled through several circuits, attended the quarterly 
meetings, held love-feasts, and exercised a sort of general 
superintendency over preachers and people, in the absence 
of Mr. Asbury. Hence at his request he visited the cir- 
cuits on the north side of James' River, where he found 
them in some confusion respecting administering the ordi- 
nances, and not a little disturbed on the question of slavery, 



1781.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



123 



Some, however, had liberated their slaves, and those who 
yet plead for the ordinances were tolerably pacified through 
his mediation. In this tour he had the satisfaction of 
meeting his brother Richard, a travelling preacher, with 
whom he was much refreshed, and whose labours had been 
greatly blessed among the people. Coming from thence 
to Baltimore, and finding the small pox raging, he was 
inoculated. He concludes his account of his labours on 
this tour with the following reflections : " I think my 
Lord made me instrumental in uniting to us many brethren, 
both preachers and people, who had disagreed with us 
about the ordinances. I can say it was a year of humili- 
ation, and believe I grew in knowledge as well as in 
grace." 



CHAPTER X. 

There is a chasm here in his printed journal of about 
three years, from 1781 to 1784. This however is sup- 
plied in the manuscript journal which he has left behind, 
and which has been carefully transcribed by his surviving 
and only daughter. Miss Mary K. Garrettson, whose pious 
and affectionate duty to her father was a solace to him in 
the decline of his life, and especially in his dying moments. 
During the year 1781, Mr. Garrettson says, " I travelled 
about five thousand miles, preached about five hundred 
sermons, visited most of the circuits in Virginia and North 
Carolina, and opened one new circuit, in which the Lord 
began a blessed work, so that many, both rich and poor, 
joined the society." It was a year of great distress, in 
consequence of the sanguinary conflicts between the Bri- 
tish and American armies. And as Mr. Garrettson was 
averse to war from principle, as well as to slave holding, 
a practice so prevalent in the country in which he then 
laboured, he met with no little difficulty : but he says, 
" Though some threats were uttered against me, I passed 
on unhurt, looking continually to Jesus ; for I can say I 
did not think my life dear to me, if I could only win souls 
to Christ, and get safely to heaven myself." 

From the conference in Baltimore, he took his journey 
to Little York, where he was joyfully received by his 



124 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAKRETTSON, [1781, 



friends. From the almost daily notices in his journal, in 
which we behold the same constant breathing after God. 
the same thirst for the salvation of sinners, it appears that 
he continued from place to place, preaching a free and a 
full salvation, with a diligence and success rarely to be met 
with. On Friday, April 18th, he paid a visit to a place 
called Devil's Island, where he says he had " glorious 
times" in preaching to the people. A faithful class on 
this island bid him welcome, and added much to his com- 
fort, and gave a pledge of future good. Passing thence to 
the continent, he frequently met such crowds of people 
at his appointments as no house would contain ; and there- 
fore was obliged to preach to them after the example of 
the venerable Wesley, in the open fields, or in the 
groves. After noticing that, on one occasion, he had 
preached to some hundreds under the trees, he says he had 
" seldom seen a more solemn time." 

" Monday 28th, the stewards, leaders, exhorters, and 
local preachers, met at seven o'clock. Our love-feast 
began at nine, and public preaching at twelve. I had 
promised the day before to preach a sermon on perfection ; 
but knowing that many gainsayers of this doctrine would 
be at the meeting, I felt that the cross was very heavy, 
and I arose with fear and trembling ; but, glory be to God ! 
no sooner had I opened my mouth than I felt sensibly the 
presence of my Saviour ; and although the house was 
crowded, and many who could not get in were standing 
without, and a company of soldiers who came to seek for 
a deserter were there, yet I know not that I ever preached 
to a more solemn audience : most of them were in tears, 
and many who had been opposed to the doctrine of holi- 
ness were convinced of its truth. My own soul was wrap- 
ped in love. O that I could always be in such a frame as 
this ! Blessed be God, I hope many of the friends are on 
stretch for more of the mind of Jesus. O for that love that 
casts out fear !" 

It would seem that the subject of these memoirs, not- 
withstanding his entire devotedness to the service of his 
God, was often reduced to great trials of mind, and some- 
times to a depression of spirits. On some of these occa- 
sions it appears that the Lord instructed and encouraged 
him in dreams and visions of the night ; and though im* 



1781. ] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETT SOX. 



125 



plicit confidence may not be placed in dreams, because 
• ; we have a more sure word of prophecy/' yet who thai 
reads his Bible but knows that " in a dream, in a 
vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon man in 
slumbering upon the bed, then he openeththe ears of men, 
and sealeth their instruction." We have in some of the 
preceding chapters noticed the thoughts which often occu- 
pied this holy man upon his bed. The following is no less 
remarkable than any of the preceding. 

; - Monday, 5th. I think I shall never be satisfied mitil I 
have a deeper work of grace in my soul. 

, 'I drink, and yet am ever dry.' 

In my way to Devil's Island I called in at a friend's house, 
where I lay doivn on a bed in a private room, and fell 
into a sound sleep. I began to dream, and thought some 
wicked people came to the place where I was, and spoke 
evil of the ways of God : the man of the house asked me 
to go to prayer ; but it seemed as if I could neither sing 
nor pray with them ; after a while they began to sing. 
Satan was striving against me, and I was struggling with 
all my might. I wanted to call for help, but could not. 
It appeared tome that in a great measure I got the victory:, 
in a short time I seemed to be dying. I began to search 
for my witness of God's favour, and I sensibly felt that I 
might have been more faithful. I wished to live longer 
that I might be instrumental in bringing souls to Jesus. 
Instead, however, of dying. I imagined that I fell into a 
trance, and was taken into the other world, where I had 
a view of hell. At first I had an imperfect view of it, and 
it was thought expedient for me to enter its mouth. 
what an awful scene was presented to my mind ! AVhat 
feelings I had for precious souls ! all my pain was for them, 
as I thought the fire had no power to hurt me ; but I 
trembled to think of their agonies : on looking forward I 
could see no end to that sea of hre, whose high surges, one 
after another, with the interval of a few minutes, conti- 
nually rolled along. I looked at them as they came, and 
saw the damned beat about by them in all the tortures of 
agony — toiling and striving to stem the waves, which, like 
molten metal, drove them back, while the place resounded 
with their bitter groans. 0, it was indescribably awful 1 



126 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1781. 

Sometimes the sea would sink into a black calm, and a 
dismal noisome smoke would ascend. I stood and trem- 
bled while I saw the damned rising out of the embers, and 
then other waves of the liquid fire would arise and beat 
them back. As I stood looking, it was said, ' Will you 
after this be faithful in warning sinners V I thought I 
would be more faithful than ever, and that my whole life 
should be spent in warning them. I then requested to be 
carried to heaven ; but the answer was, ' You have seen 
enough ; return and be faithful.' On awaking I sat up 
in the bed in wonder ; then kneeling down, I found that 
the Lord Jesus was precious to my soul. At four o'clock 
I preached on the island. Thanks be to my Saviour for 
these precious happy souls. Jesus was near to me ! 
Lord, make me more faithful than ever." 

Whatever may be thought of the above dream, it is cer- 
tain that there is a place of endless torment for the wicked 
in a future state, " where the worm dieth not, and the fire 
is not quenched." And as " eye hath not seen, nor ear 
heard," the things that God hath prepared for those that 
love him, so hath it not entered into the heart of man to 
conceive the things, the terribleness of that "blackness of 
darkness," which those must inherit who die unreconciled 
to God. Mr. Garrettson observes, — - 

" Thursday 15th. In my sermon at I endeavoured 

to discover the propriety of infant baptism. 1. If any of 
you can prove that infant initiation was ever thrown out of 
the church, then it will be time for me to prove that it 
was again received. St. Paul tells us that the ' unbelieving 
husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving 
wife by the husband; else were your children unclean, 
but now are they holy,' 1 Cor. vii, 14. It is obvious the 
apostle was speaking to those Gentile converts who were 
for leaving their heathen wives and husbands. He here 
recommends them to live together : tells them their chil- 
dren are holy. They possessed a covenant holiness : 
though but one believed, their children had a right to bap- 
tism. 2. The reason why we have so large an account of 
adults being baptized, was because the gospel dispensation 
had just commenced ; and all believers were to be made 
partakers of the ordinance, as well as their children ; for, 
i the promise is to you and to your children,' Acts ii, 36. 



1781.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



127 



Whole households were baptized. I proved infant justifi- 
cation by Scripture, Rom. v, 18, 19, &c. 

" On the evening of the 25th I preached Prudence 
Hudson's funeral sermon to about five hundred people. 
It was three years last winter that I first came into this 
place, when she, though moral, was with others going on 
in the way to ruin. When she heard of salvation by faith 
she was convinced of her undone condition. She followed 
the preaching night and day. Go where I would, if within 
eight or ten miles, she was there, and she generally walked 
to the meetings. For some months she groaned under a 
spirit of bondage ; but God in his own good time delivered 
her soul from the guilt and power of sin. She received 
the spirit of adoption, whereby she was enabled to cry, 
Abba, Father. I frequently met her in class, where she 
always seemed to be desirous of loving God supremely. 
I believe from the time she became religious she never 
did any thing to grieve her brethren, or wound the cause 
of God. She afterward married a pious young man, and 
after the birth of her first child, she was impressed with 
an idea that God would take her out of the world. She 
expressed a fear that she was not cleansed from all sin, 
and desired her husband to pray for her. Shortly after, 
as she was lifting up her heart to God, he in great mercy 
poured his love into her soul in a manner which caused 
her to cry out, ' Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, and take 
my raptured soul away.' To her weeping friends she 
repeated the goodness of God — whose grace, she said, had 
sanctified her wholly, and made her meet for glory. She 
bid them dry their tears, for she was going to heaven. She 
embraced her parents, and thanked them for their kindness, 
and exhorted her classmates to faithfulness. 4 Many a 
time,' said she to them, ' have we walked together to our 
meetings ; and now I am going to receive my reward,' 
She warned her husband against keeping slaves. Her 
soul seemed to be so enraptured with the love of God that 
she would frequently cry out, 6 O death, where is thy sting ! 
O grave, where is thy victory !' Thus she continued some 
days exhorting all around her, and so fell asleep in the 
arms of Jesus. O that Christians would bestir themselves 
to greater faithfulness." 

After passing through various places, and preaching to 



123 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1782. 



crowded audiences, he observes, under date of Xov. 12th. 
1782, w I rode down in the Neck, and preached near 
Delaware Bay. Four years ago I preached m this house, 
when the whole Neck seemed to be in Egyptian darkness. 
I never visited them again until now : and though I then 
laboured (as I thought) to little purpose. I now find among 
them twoscore professing the knowledge of Jesus, many 
of whom date their conversion from that day : this encou- 
rages me to draw the bow at a venture, and leave the 
event to God. Lord, increase my faith, and give me 
greater deadness to the world. 53 

How consoling and encouraging is it to a faithful minister 
to witness the salutary effects of his ministry in the holy 
lives and triumphant deaths of his spiritual children ! These 
are the living and dying witnesses of the power and truth 
of that gospel he preaches, and will be his " crown of 
rejoicing in that day.'' This solace was imparted, in a 
high degree, in numerous instances, to Air. Garrettson. 
The following instance he relates, under date of Dec. 29th : 
w I met G. M.j and we rejoiced together in considering 
the good which God has done in this part of his vineyard. 
On the 28th preached a funeral sermon over our dear 
departed brother Smith, who lived for many years a life 
of piety. He was a man of affliction, but he bore it with 
Christian patience and fortitude. He, in a measure, lost 
his speech for some months before his death. I visited 
him several times in his sickness, and though he could not 
speak so that I could understand him, my soul was re- 
freshed, and by the signs he made, and the tears which so 
plentifully flowed from his eyes. I had not a doubt or fear 
but his soul was transported with joy. Happy he lived, 
happy he died, leaving a family happy in God ; and, glory 
to God ! I have no doubt but his soul is happy at God's 
right hand. O that all my dear friends and children may 
make as happy an end ! I rode to Mr. B arc-el's chapel, and 
spent two or three hours in watching for the coming of 
Christ ; and blessed be God, we found him in our hearts. 

" Sunday, 29th, I preached again in Barcel's chapel. 
This week I spent in preaching and visiting the friends : 
my soul is sweetly drawn out to serve God ; and if I had 
a thousand tongues, I would employ them all in praising 
my dear Master." 



1783.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



129 



None but those who have had an experience of it can 
fully realize the happiness resulting from the visits of 
ministers after a long absence, among those who had been 
converted under their ministry, and still finding them 
" steadfast in the faith." " I have no greater joy than to 
find my children walking in the truth," said St. John. 
The following circumstances related by Mr. Garrettson 
will illustrate the truth of this remark : — 

" January 5th, 1783. I am once more among my Dover 
friends. Surely God is among these people. The last 
Sabbath I preached here, the Lord in mercy laid his hand 
upon one of the greatest persecutors in the town. Finding 
no rest, he cried mightily to God, and he converted both 
himself, his wife, and his brother's wife : they are now 
happy in religion, going on hand in hand with the brethren ; 
and he is resolutely determined on building a' brick chapel. 
Shall we not give the glory to God, who can change the 
hearts of lion-like men and women in so short a time ? I 
have great freedom both in preaching, exhorting, prayer, 
and visiting the friends. God has done and is doing great 
things for the people in this town. I visited sister Basset, 
who has been a long time under the afflicting hand of 
divine Providence. I think her one of the happiest women 
I have met with. I believe her to be a living witness of 
sanctification : her soul seems to be continually wrapped 
in a flame of love. Several of this family are happy in the 
love of God ; four of whom enjoy that degree of it which 
casts out fear. Surely God has a church in this house. 

" On the 30th I set out to visit the societies in Kent 
and Newcastle. I generally preach once or twice every 
day, besides meeting the classes ; and I bless God for the 
sweet consolation I have. Many are happily going on to 
perfection. I think if I know myself, I have set out in 
this new year, (1783,) to live a life of devotion to God." 

The following item in his journal may be considered as 
descriptive of a heart deeply penetrated with the worth of 
immortal souls, as well as of the exercises peculiar in some 
sense to a true minister of Jesus Christ. Such often cry 
out, " The burden of the Lord ! the burden of the I^ord 
are these." Those who "prophesy for hire, and preach 
for gain," may think lightly of such exercises ; but the 
true " minister of the sanctuary" often " weeps between 
6* 



130 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1783. 



the porch and the altar, saying, Spare thy people, good 
Lord, and give not thine heritage to the heathen." 

" Thursday, 6th. I began this morning to read Nico- 
demus on the fear of man, and in the afternoon preached 
to a crowded audience, many more than could get in the 
house. I thought, during the sermon, Surely these people 
must be convinced ; they were in a flood of tears : how 
is it ? I fear they weep, and repent, and sin again. When 
I was in this neighbourhood several years ago, they were 
in the same condition ; nearly thirty in society, and but 
two believers ! O God, thou must do the work : stretch 
forth thy powerful hand. My soul is distressed for the 
people : many who, I fear, live in sin, appeared to be as 
glad to see me as if I had been their father. I always 
endeavour to preach as plain truths to them as I possibly 
can. This has been a day of temptation : Satan would 
persuade me that my life was a life of misery ; but I am 
sure one soul is of more value than ten thousand worlds ! 
Lord, give me a more earnest desire for all the mind that 
was in Jesus. O that I may give an account before my 
Master for the improvement of this comfortable room ; 
though an unprofitable servant, God gives me great favour 
in the sight of the people." 

It seems that Mr. Garrettson was now travelling over 
ground which he had been the means of ploughing and 
sowing some years since. He found that in most places 
the good seed of the kingdom had taken deep root, and 
was now springing up and bearing fruit ; while in other 
places there was reason to believe the seed had fallen "by 
the wayside, or upon stony ground." In this visit among 
his old friends and spiritual children in Kent and Dorchester 
counties, his spirit was much refreshed and strengthened, 
while he preached in crowded houses, and sometimes in 
the fields, to from one thousand, to one thousand five hun- 
dred people. On the 27th of May, 1783, he attended the 
conference in Baltimore, at which there were, he says, 
about sixty preachers, all of whom appeared to be in the 
spirit of the gospel. 

From this conference he went to Talbot circuit. While 
he rejoiced over some who had remained steadfast, and 
amid the persecution they endured, loved and supported 
each other, he had to mourn over others who had departed 



1783.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



131 



from the faith, particularly some who had been guilty of 
a practice plainly repugnant to the economy of the gospel. 
Mr. Garrettson gives the following interesting account of 
a blind man : " The man of the house is entirely blind, 
but, glory to God ! I believe he has spiritual eye sight, 
and can view the Redeemer by faith. I was very much 
surprised the next day to find him, as he rode with me to 
preaching, directing the boy who was to have been our 
guide, but whose horse took the wrong road, he having 
fallen asleep ; the blind man soon detected his mistake, 
roused him from his sleep, and set him right. In passing 
the fields of corn or wheat, he would make very judicious 
remarks on the state of the crops. When he came near 
a house, he would point to it, and tell me the owner's 
name ; and when we came nearly opposite the paths, &c, 
which intersected the road, he would direct the boy which 
way to turn ; or when he came to a gate, would say, ' Boy y 
open that gate.' He could walk about his plantation ; go 
to what room of his house he pleased, or to any desk or 
chest he pleased. He said he could count money by the 
feeling. He is of a family who generally lose their eye 
sight when they arrive at the age of twenty or twenty-two. 
I think he is a precious happy soul, and can praise and 
bless God for spiritual eye sight. His wife is as blind 
spiritually as he is literally." 

The following narrative is no less edifying and interest- 
ing : " I preached in Hopkin's Neck to many precious 
souls, and was much quickened among, them. After 
preaching I visited a beautiful damsel, about the age of 
fourteen, the only child of her tender father. She ap- 
peared to be in a deep decay, and there was little expect- 
ation of her staying in this world much longer. Her 
mother, a few months ago, went out of the world triumph- 
ing in the faith, and is now, no doubt, praising God in 
heaven. God refreshed my soul abundantly while praying 
for this damsel. After prayer, I asked her if she saw her 
way clear to the heavenly world ? ' Blessed be God !' said 
she, ' 1 do.' I asked her if she was willing to die. ' I do 
not,' said she, ' wish to remain here any longer.' I asked 
her if she was prepared to die : she replied, ' God loves 
me, and I love him : I know,' said she, ' that he loves me.' 
I said, Do you know your sins forgiven ? ' I have not/ said 



132 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1783. 



she, ' the witness ; but I believe God will give it me before 
he takes me hence/ Said I, Were you willing to die when 
you were first taken ill ? She replied, 4 No.' I asked her 
why ? ' Because I was a sinner. I knew God was angry 
with me. I was under distress of soul, but the Lord has 
turned his anger away.' How did you feel^said I, in time 
of prayer 1 ' My soul,' said she, ' was happy !' I had the 
witness that she was a favourite of Heaven. Child, said 
I, believe that God loves you ; look to him now for a wit- 
ness of his favour. ' I am looking,' said she, ' for a bright 
witness ; and I believe God will give it to me.' I left her: 
my heart was full of love, hoping one day to meet her in 
glory. Her father accompanied me nearly a mile. I 
asked him if she had been under serious impressions any 
time before she was taken sick. He said from the time 
that preaching was first established in the neighbourhood, 
she had had a great love for the way, and wanted to join 
the society ; but the preachers thought she was rather 
young ; but, said he, since her sickness she has gone 
through deep distress." 

Among other blessed effects of the Methodist ministry 
was the conversion of many of the coloured people in that 
part of the country, both among the slaves and those that 
were free. These people, who seem destined by an all- 
wise, but inscrutable Providence, to suffer many privations 
in this world, in consequence of the forced and cruel man- 
ner in which they had been removed from their own country, 
as well as the manner in which most of them were treated 
here, had been hitherto destitute of spiritual instruction, 
and generally treated as if they had no souls either to save 
or lose. To them particular attention was paid by the 
Methodist preachers. 

Such, however, was their situation, that they could not 
assemble at the usual hours for preaching. To meet their 
case, therefore, appointments were made especially for 
their benefit. This, in many instances, made double work 
for the preachers. Frequently after preaching to the white 
people, they had to meet the coloured population. This 
Mr. Garrettson often did. On one of these occasions he 
says, " This night my soul was transported with joy when 
meeting the black class, a company of humble, happy 
souls." And a little below he says, " For these last five days 



1783.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



133 



I have been employed in preaching every day, and in 
meeting several coloured classes, and was much comforted 
among them."* Such, indeed, is the state of many of 
those ill-fated people. 

What can more strongly attest the truth, and may we 
not say the divinity, of the gospel, than the conversion of 
some of its warmest opposers ? Hence the conversion of 
St. Paul has been ever considered an irrefragable argu- 
ment in favour of the power and truth of the gospel of 
Christ. Many similar instances are recorded in the history 
of the Church, and not a few in the journal of Mr. Garrett- 
son. At the time we are now speaking of, he says, " I was 
rejoiced to converse with one who, a few weeks since, 
was a great enemy to religion, but has now a broken heart." 

Mr. Garrettson continued his labours in these parts of 
the country among his old friends with various success, 
and oftentimes exposed to much fatigue and suffering, 
until September 3, when he was preparing to take his 
departure for Charleston, S. C, but was arrested in his 
progress by the arrival of Dr. Coke, who was empowered 
by Mr. Wesley to organize the Methodist societies in this 

* It may not be amiss to observe here, that from the beginning of 
the Methodist ministry in this country, particular attention has been 
paid to these depressed people. And who knows but that the entrance 
of the gospel among them in this way may not be a prelude to the en- 
tire conversion of the African race, not only those who inhabit this 
country, but even those who remain in their native land ! Though some 
who are either wilfully blind, or inexcusably inattentive to the history 
of events, seem to think, and even to affirm that these people have been 
entirely overlooked by the Christian community until quite recently, it is 
well known to others, that ever since Methodism was planted in this 
country, they have been the special objects of its ministry ; and that the 
Methodists have had, since the year 1787, when the late Dr. Coke first 
landed in the Island of Antigua, nourishing missions in nearly all the 
West India Islands; and that at this time (1838) they number about 
40,000 ; and that in these United States there are about 80,000 of the 
coloured population members of our Church, besides a number, no doubt 
truly pious, who have separated from us, and set up for themselves. 

The Wesleyan Methodists have also established several missions in 
Africa. These, together with the infant colony now rising into notice 
under the fostering care of the American Colonization Society, give a 
fair promise of the future reformation of the vast continent of Africa to 
the principles of Christianity. May not these things be reckoned 
among the " signs of the times," which indicate the near approach of 
that day "when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as 
the waters do the seal" — Ed. 



134 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1784. 



country into a separate and independent church. On this 
event he makes the following reflections : " In the evening 
news came to my room that Dr. Coke had arrived. I felt 
a spirit of rejoicing, and hastened down stairs to receive 
him. I was somewhat surprised when Mr. Wesley's plan 
of ordination was opened to me, and determined to sit in 
silence. I thought it expedient to return with him to a 
quarterly meeting held in Kent county, w T here I expected 
to meet Mr. Asbury, and a number of the preachers. 
About fifteen met in conference, and it was thought ex- 
pedient to call a General Conference at Baltimore ; and 
that I should decline my expedition to Charleston. I was 
accordingly appointed to go and call a conference. . I set 
out for Virginia and Carolina, and a tedious journey I had. 
My dear Master enabled me to ride about twelve hundred 
miles in about six weeks ; and preach going and coming 
constantly. The conference began on Christmas day." 

Dr. Coke in his journal, alluding to the same event, says, 
" Here I met with an excellent young man, Freeborn Gar- 
rettson. He seems to be all meekness and love, and yet 
all activity. He makes me quite ashamed, for he invaria- 
bly rises at four in the morning, and not only he, but several 
others of the preachers. Him we sent off, like an arrow, 
from north to south, directing him to send messengers to 
the right and left, and to gather all the preachers together 
at Baltimore on Christmas eve." 



CHAPTER XL 

We come now to a very important era in the history of 
Methodism, as well as in the history of our country. After 
a long and severe struggle, the revolutionary war ended 
in the independence of these United States. W T ith the 
annihilation of the political power of Great Britain over 
this country, ceased all its ecclesiastical jurisdiction. 
While, however, the contest lasted between the two coun- 
tries, the Methodist societies had continued to increase 
under the faithful labours of the preachers, Mr. Garrett- 
son and others ; but these preachers not being ordained, 



1784.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETT SOX. 



135 



the societies had remained destitute of the ordinances only 
so far as they receivedthem from the hands of other ministers. 

This deficiency in the ministrations of the Methodist 
ministry, as has already been observed, had occasioned 
much uneasiness in the societies. From time to time 
Mr. Wesley had been solicited to grant them relief ; but 
being unwilling to disturb the order of the church to which 
he belonged, until the independence of this country had 
been achieved, and acknowledged by the English govern- 
ment, Mr. Wesley remained deaf to their solicitations. 
This event, however, so auspicious in its consequences to 
this country, to the church, and perhaps I might add to 
the world at large, tended to remove all scruples from his 
mind respecting the expediency of the measure. He saw 
a large field opened for the future usefulness of a well 
organized ministry ; a ministry constituted according to 
the Scripture model. To this work, with a view to sup- 
ply the spiritual wants of so many thousands who were 
looking to him for direction in this important affair, Mr. 
Wesley believed himself providentially called. He there- 
fore, with all the despatch the nature of the business would 
allow, concerted measures for the organization of the Me- 
thodist societies in America into a church, according to 
what he considered to be the primitive model. 

With a view to accomplish this object, Mr. Wesley first 
directed his attention to the most suitable men and means. 
Thomas Coke, LL. D., and a presbyter in the Church of 
England, had been led by a train of providential circum- 
stances to connect himself with the body of Methodist 
preachers in England, and had for a number of years 
been one of Mr. Wesley's most active and efficient assist- 
ants. Mr. W^esley had received unequivocal proofs of his 
entire devotedness to the cause of his divine Master, of 
his hearty concurrence in the general plans of usefulness 
to the souls of men ; and of his firm attachment to the 
doctrines and discipline of the Methodist societies. To 
him, therefore, Mr. Wesley directed his attention as the 
most suitable person to organize the societies in this coun- 
try into a church, and to be the instrument of furnishing 
it with the ordinances of the gospel. Accordingly, being 
assisted by other presbyters of the Church of England, on 
the 2d of September, 1784, Mr. Wesley set apart Dr. Coke 



136 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1784. 



as a superintendent of the Methodist societies in America, 
and gave him letters of ordination. At the same time Mr. 
Wesley, with the assistance of Dr. Coke and Mr. Creigh- 
ton, another presbyter of the Church of England, ordained 
Messrs. Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey, who had 
volunteered their services for America, as presbyters, and 
recommended them to the brethren in this country. They 
accordingly accompanied Dr. Coke, who left England in 
the month of September, 1784, and arrived in this country, 
at New-York, on the third of November following. 

It is not my intention to enter into a detailed account of 
the transactions of this period. Those who wish for such 
an account, and for the arguments in vindication of the 
conduct of Mr. Wesley, Dr. Coke, and Mr. Asbury, in 
these important matters, may consult Moore's Life of the 
Messrs. Wesley, Drew's Life of Dr. Coke, Lee's History 
of the Methodists, Vindication of Methodist Episcopacy, 
and the Defence of our Fathers. 

We have already seen the manner in which Mr. Gar- 
rettson was employed in calling the preachers together, 
and the opinion expressed by Dr. Coke of his diligence 
and activity, his meekness and love. The preachers, 
about sixty in number, assembled in Baltimore, Decem- 
ber 25th, 1784, and held what had been designated the 
" Christmas conference." The plan recommended by Mr. 
Wesley was unanimously approved of by the preachers 
present ; and on the 27th of the same month, Mr. Francis 
Asbury, according to the appointment of Mr. Wesley and 
the unanimous vote of the conference, was consecrated by 
Dr. Coke, assisted by Mr. Otterbine, a German minister 
of undoubted piety, and for whom Mr. Asbury entertained 
an affectionate and high regard, and other elders, to the 
office of a superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. According to Mr. Lee's History of the Method- 
ists there were thirteen elected to the office of elders, 
eleven of whom only were ordained at the conference. 
Among those consecrated to this office was the subject 
of this memoir. 

At the conclusion of the revolutionary war, a number 
of persons who still retained their attachment to the Bri- 
tish government removed to the province of Nova Scotia. 
Among these emigrants there were some who had been 



1784.] 



jjIFE of rev. f. garrettson. 



137 



members of the Methodist society in this country ; others 
had emigrated from Europe. These were as sheep with- 
out a shepherd. They therefore expressed a strong desire 
•to have Methodist missionaries sent among them. As 
their circumstances and wishes became known to Dr. 
Coke, he deeply interested himself in their behalf, and 
contemplated making them a visit, but was providentially 
disappointed by a violent storm, which finally compelled 
the captain, with whom the doctor sailed, to seek a shelter 
in one of the West India Islands. At this conference, 
therefore, through his solicitations, Mr. Garrettson volun- 
teered his services for Nova Scotia. While preparing for 
this enterprise, he wrote the following letters, one of which 
appears to be addressed to members of some former charge, 
and the other to a respected friend :— 

" My Dearly Beloved Friends and Brethren, — * 
Peace and consolation attend you for ever, through Jesus 
Christ, Amen ! I had great expectation of paying you a 
visit before I took my departure to some other quarter of my 
Master's vineyard ; but had not had an opportunity, being 
confined to other places. I send this epistle, hoping it will, 
in some sense, supply my lack of service. Through the 
mercy of our God I enjoy health of body ; and blessed be 
his dear name, I think my love and zeal for his glory are 
as great as ever ; desiring to spend and be spent in the 
best of causes, not counting my life dear, so I can win souls, 
and at last stand blameless before the throne of my God, 
not having on my own righteousness, but a righteousness 
through the faith of the Son of God. 

" My dearly beloved friends, you very well know what 
you were before the great Shepherd and Bishop of your 
souls gave me entrance among you : this I can say, my 
trials were great and manifold ; yet our great Master stood 
by me. You know very well I was among you with tears 
and fasting ; labouring both night and day, and, glory be 
to God, I hope not altogether in vain. ' Ye were once 
darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord ; walk as child- 
ren of the light.' When I shall be among you again, I 
know not, being straitened between two, whether to go out 
into the wilderness or to tarry with the children of the 
kingdom. It is the most pleasing to nature to tarry, but 



138 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1784. 



having a great sense of the deplorable condition thousands 
of souls are in, I feel a willingness to tread unbeaten paths 
in the wilderness, and call home hundreds and thousands 
of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, who now (as vou 
once did) sit in darkness, that we all may be of one fold, 
feeding in one pasture, under one great Shepherd. I long 
to see the happy time when the knowledge of God shall 
cover the earth. Who among you will join, faithfully join. 
to pull down the kingdom of the devil ? Shall I be so 
happy as to meet you all in glory ? 

" I shall speak my mind freely, though at a distance : 
when I was with you last I was afraid that some of vou 
were waxing cold, and that others were too much glued to 
the world. O ! my friends, better you had never heard the 
glad sound of the gospel — better you had never been born, 
than in the midst of such privileges to be lost ! what a 
cutting sight, should I see any of you at the left hand, with 
whom I have taken sweet counsel ! May Jehovah for his 
mercy's sake forbid it! I now come to speak of great mat- 
ters : — 'As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so 
walk you in him.' How was Christ received ? not in 
neglect of prayer, not in trifling, not in associating with 
the wicked, not in worldly mindedness, nor in neglect of 
any of the means of grace ; but in an earnest, fervent, 
humble, holy looking to God by faith. This is the way 
you are to walk in him ; to be as much engaged for perfect 
love as ever you were for justifying faith. What is the 
reason we are not more holy ? Why do we not walk more 
closely with God, and live more in heaven ? Why are w T e 
not more dead to the world ? Because we are enthusiasts, 
looking for the end without using the means. O that you 
may stir up the gift of God by earnestly groaning, both 
day and night, for full redemption in the blood of Jesus ! 
look for the blessing now ; this moment look up by faith. 
You must feel the need of it ; then, and not till then, will 
you seek it with all your powers. O that you may receive 
it now, while these lines are read to you ! By and by, our 
Sabbath opportunities, praying opportunities, preaching 
opportunities, hearing opportunities, and class-meeting 
opportunities will all be passed away : the harvest shortly 
will be ripe, Christ will appear, his labourers will be called 
home, and each of us will have to give an account of his 



i 



1784.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



139 



stewardship. what a dismal day it will be to the im- 
penitent ; to swearers, drunkards, liars, defrauders, the 
worldly minded, to all those that have been covered with 
a web of their own weaving, and particularly to hypocrites 
and backsliders ! The backslider may then say, 1 Once I 
went in and out with the people of God, tasted his good- 
ness, and felt his power; but wretched me, I departed from 
his holy commands, pierced the Saviour afresh, yea, I 
wounded his cause, by stabbing him in the house of his 
friends ; and now an eternal storm must for ever beat upon 
my guilty soul.' my God ! who can bear the thought. 
While I am writing, the worth of your souls lies near my 
heart, and, blessed be God, I feel a sense of his dying, for- 
giving love to my own soul. 

" I shall now close with an address to you in the several 
stations you occupy in the church of God. Some of you 
God has set apart to speak in his name : that you may 
do it faithfully ! To the leaders I would say, Keep the life 
and power of God in your souls, that your prayers and 
admonitions may have the happy effect of kindling all 
around you the flames of holy, pure love : then will you 
long for your class day to come. The private members I 
would enjoin to love each other, and to bear each other's 
burdens : be watchful, sober ; train up your children in 
the fear of God, and be as burning lights to all around you : 
then will you force the heathen world to say, ' See how 
these Christians love one another.' You that are young 
men and women, be sober minded, and be not unequally 
yoked together with unbelievers, considering that light 
has no communion with darkness, or Christ with Belial. 
I earnestly exhort you all to receive with kindness, and 
esteem highly those who labour among you in word and 
doctrine ; they watch for your souls, as they that must give 
an account, that they may do it with joy. God has already 
in his wisdom seen fit to remove some from among you into 
eternity, I hope, to surround his glorious throne. 

" I now commend you to the fatherly goodness of Jeho- 
vah, praying and beseeching him to keep you all by the 
power of his Spirit, that if I never enjoy your company 
here, I may eternally enjoy it in heaven. 

" I desire the prayers of all my dear friends and child- 
ren, that I may stand fast in the faith, and finish my 



140 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1784. 



course with comfort. May we all meet to be crowned with 
an eternal crown ! Friends meet and part here, but there 
we shall meet never to part more. Our sorrows will be 
wiped away ; the wicked will cease from troubling, and 
our weary souls will for ever be at rest ; to which happy 
place may God in his infinite mercy grant to bring us all, 
for the sake of his dear Son. Amen. 

"I remain your sincere, though unworthy servant, in the 
bonds of the peaceful gospel of Christ, 

" F. Garrettson. 

"An epistle to all the brethren on the sea side. Care 
of brother John Coe — to be read. 

" Dear Brother, — God in his wisdom has altered my 
station from the south to the north, and I am now on my 
way as far as Mount Holly. There seems to be a loud 
call for the gospel in Halifax, Shelburn, and many other 
places in Nova Scotia. I am willing, and want to go in 
the power of the blessed Spirit. I hope I shall have an 
interest in the prayers of all my dear friends. I shall 
never forget you for the acts of kindness you have showed. 
Lord grant you may ever continue an humble, zealous fol- 
lower of the Lamb, that I may one day meet you in glory 
everlasting. 

< c Blessed be God, my mind is sweetly drawn out in the 
work of the ministry, and I hope I shall ever be little and 
mean in my own eyes, and that I may ever be rising higher 
and higher in the divine image. Brother Kent informs me 
that the work seems still to prosper, which rejoices my 
heart. that Jesus may still go on in the power of his 
Spirit. Give my kind love to sister Hopper, and to all in- 
quiring friends. I hope you will write to me often : direct 
to Halifax. I am more and more convinced that our new 
plan is of God. I hope and trust the Lord is about to raise 
up a glorious Church. 

" I commend you to Jesus, trusting you will be faithful 
unto death. In great love believe me 

" Your friend, 

" F. Garrettson." 

About the middle of February, in company with Mr. 
James O. Cromwell, Mr. Garrettson embarked for Halifax 



1785.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



141 



in Nova Scotia. They had a very tedious voyage, suffer- 
ing much from cold and wet, having in a small vessel, 
deeply loaded, encountered a severe storm. " I never,'' 
says he, " saw so dismal a time before ; but through the 
amazing goodness of God, we were brought safely to 
Halifax, and were very kindly received by a Mr. March- 
ington, a true friend to the gospel." Through the exer- 
tions of this pious gentleman, a convenient place was fitted 
up for preaching, and in a short time Mr. Garrettson united 
a few serious persons together in a class. 

Shortly after his arrival, he wrote the following letter to 
Dr. Coke :— 

" Halifax, ITS 5. 

"Rev. axd Dear Sir, — After a stormy and dangerous 
passage of thirteen days, we arrived safely at Halifax, 
where we met with a kind reception from Air. Marehington 
and a few other poor sheep in the wilderness. As yet I do 
not know as much of the country, or the state of affairs, as 
I shortly shall, God being my helper. 

" A few days ago brother Cromwell set sail for Shelburn. 
Brother Marehington has hired a house at ten dollars a 
month, that will contain about three hundred souls. I have 
preached five sermons. The number has increased so that 
we now have our little apartment filled. I cannot speak of 
any visible good, more than that they seem to hear with at- 
tention and solemnity, and I have joined a society of seven 
or eight members. Shortly after I came to town, I waited 
on the old rector. 1 Sir,' said he, ' you are. on a blessed 
errand ; I will do what I can in assisting you. I desire to 
see the gospel spread.' 

" The next day I waited on his excellency, the governor, 
accompanied by Mr. Marehington. I found him very 
accessible. After telling him my business, from whence 
I was, and by whom I was sent : ' Mr. Wesley,' said he, 
is a good man — a very good man. How long do you pur- 
pose to stay V I told him twelve months, or two years. £ I 
am glad you called upon me : you have my approbation, 
and whenever you call for my assistance, if I can help 
you I will.' I could but humbly thank him. 

" God willing, on Monday next I purpose to take a tour 
through the country, to collect, if possible, the sheep so 
widely scattered. I believe there are many precious souls 



142 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1785. 



who desire to hear us. I am well assured we shall have 
hard work this year ; but who would not labour and suffer 
in so good a cause ! I bless God for health, and as great 
a desire as ever to do his blessed will, and spend and be 
spent in the best of causes. We shall, as the people are 
poor, do little in the sale of books. Indeed, I expect we 
shall be under a necessity of giving some of the small tracts 
away. The travelling here is extremely expensive. The 
packet has no less than four or five dollars for carrying a 
person from Halifax to Shelburn, and as much to Annapo- 
lis or St. John's Town : besides long journeys by land 
to the different towns and settlements. I am fully per- 
suaded that our voyage to this part of the world is of God ; 
the very time when preachers of our order ought to have 
come. But if possible we must be assisted, for our preach- 
ers are left without horses, and but four pounds apiece. 
Next year I trust the people will be able to support the 
gospel. When I am more acquainted with the country, I 
shall send on another letter to conference. By the grace 
of God, I shall do all that lies -in my power to promote the 
Redeemer's kingdom, 

"Dear sir, I remain your affectionate friend and brother, 

" F. Garrettson. 

" To the Rev. Dr. Coke." 

In another letter he says, " The secretary sent for me, 
to know whether it would not be expedient for me to take 
the oath of allegiance to his majesty ; but on my objecting 
to it, and stating my reasons for so doing, he told me there 
was not the least necessity : he also told me if there should 
happen any disorders in our meeting, to apply to a magis- 
trate, and I should find favour. So far is well, is it not ? 
My congregation has been increasing ever since I came ; 
so that on the Sabbath evenings many return home for want 
of room in the house. The last week night I preached the 
house was nearly full. For two nights we had a little 
disturbance. One night the stones flew, and one stone of 
nearly a pound weight was levelled at me, but missed its 
aim, and struck out two panes of glass near my head. This 
is but trifling, if I can win souls to Jesus." 

After continuing a short time in Halifax, during which 



1785.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



143 



he preached almost every night in the week, and three 
times on the Lord's day, in the latter part of March he 
set out on a tour through the country. I have, 55 says he, 
" travelled, though the snow was deep, about three hundred 
miles in two weeks, and preached twenty sermons to many 
attentive hearers.' 5 Among others, he found some old 
members of society who had emigrated from Europe, and 
who rejoiced much to hear from his lips the same truths 
they formerly had heard in their own country. Indeed, 
some time prior to this, Mr. William Black, a native of 
Yorkshire, who had been converted to God, had gone to 
that province, and had been instrumental in diffusing 
gospel light and truth among the people in New-Bruns- 
wick, and some other places. On the arrival of Mr, 
Garrettson, Mr. Black and those who were associated 
with him were much encouraged. 

In this country Mr. Garrettson preached the word with 
a success similar to what had attended his evangelical 
labours in the United States. Among others who had 
begun to " taste of the good word of God, 5 ' he found a 
society of coloured people, with whom he was much com- 
forted, whom he endeavoured to bring into gospel order 
by forming sixty of them into a class, administering baptism 
to nineteen, and the Lord's Supper to about forty, most of 
whom he trusted loved God and one another. 

It is not one of the least perplexing difficulties connected 
with ministerial duty to be under the necessity of either 
disentangling the sophistries of error, or of suffering vain 
and deluded mortals to remain under the influence of their 
fatal delusion. It is more especially so, when this error 
is nourished and strengthened by pride and self-conceit, — - 
vices not uncommonly united, — and adhered to with all the 
tenacity which ignorance and bigotry inspire. To remain 
silent under such circumstances betrays a want of zeal in 
the cause of truth, and an indifference to the salvation of 
souls. To undertake to unravel the knotty threads of 
error is often a task no less difficult and irksome to our- 
selves than it is offensive to those whom we labour " to 
convert from the error of their ways." 

These remarks were suggested by the following account 
which Mr. Garrettson ha* recorded respecting a people he 
found in Nova Scotia, who seem to have adopted all the 



144 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1785, 



offensive peculiarities of Calvinism, called Alle?iites, one 
Mr. Allen being their principal leader. Though he might 
have been a good man, it is certain that some parts of his 
doctrine must have had a very pernicious influence. 
" Some of them," says Mr. Garrettson, " seem to have 
the fear of God ; but in general they are as deluded a 
people as I ever saw. Almost all of them preach in public. 
I was conversing with one who seems to be a principal person 
among them. She said she believed death would slay more 
sins for her than were ever destroyed before. 1 As for sin,' 
said she, ' it cannot hurt me : not even adultery, murder, 
swearing, drunkenness, nor any other sin, can break the 
union between me and Christ.' They have passed judgment 
upon us, that we are neither Christians, nor called to preach. 

" Thursday I preached at Mr. Woodworth's, to a 
crowded audience. A little before preaching time, two 
old Calvinists came into my room to have a conversation 
with me before preaching. ' I understand,' said one of 
them, ' that you hold with falling from grace ; I heard it, 
but did not know how to believe it, and should be glad to 
know whether you do deny the perseverance of the saints?' 
I answered, I do not, for my desire is that they should 
persevere : I do not hold with man's persevering in wicked- 
ness, neither do I believe that a man can have grace while 
he lives in sin. Let us take the Bible, and see what is 
said there : I read part of the 15th of John, and parts of 
several chapters* in Hebrews, Romans, and Peter. Now, 
said I, this is the language of many other passages. We 
have no promise for any but such as do persevere to the 
end, and we have had many unhappy instances of men 
running well for a time, and then turning back : read the 
18th chapter of Ezekiel. Now what harm can there be 
in enforcing our Lord's, the prophets', and the apostles' 
exhortation ? ' Very good,' said he. Why should we do 
it if there was no danger ? and what harm can there be in 
the doctrine ? Suppose you are a Christian, and your 
neighbour is one also : you believe in the unconditional 
perseverance of saints ; he in the conditional : -who, sir. 
is the safest ? If you are right, surely he cannot fall. £ I 
never,' said he, 1 saw so much in it before.' They stayed 
to hear the sermon, and afterward one said, 'I never heard 
these men before, but they are better than I thought.' 



1785.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



145 



" Friday morning I set out for Granville. I had not got 
far before a man came running out. 4 Sir,' said he, 'I like 
part of your doctrine well, but part I do not like.' What 
part don't you like ? 4 You say, sir, that a saint may fall.' 
Will you answer me one question, said L Do you know 
that you were ever converted ? *I do, 7 said he. Pray tell 
me how matters are at present between God and your soul? 
4 Why,' said he, 4 it is a winter state.' But, said I, are you 
not now living in open sin against God ? He paused 
awhile. I ask, said I, in the fear of God and desire an 
answer in truth. 4 I confess,' said he, ' I am living in sin.' 
And yet you do not believe in falling from grace ! I be- 
lieve it is because you are fallen. This is what you call 
a winter state ! I call it lying in the arms of the wicked 
one, and you may talk as you will about your past expe*- 
rience, but I would not give a straw for your chance of 
heaven, if you die in this state. You are reconciling Christ 
and Belial together. 4 O,' said he, 4 1 shall be raised up 
at the last day.' You will, said I ; but, unless you repent, 
it will be to be cast into the lake of fire. He seemed much 
affected and left me. 

44 January 19th I preached opposite Granville, to a 
number of serious hearers, and was invited home to 
dinner by an old gentleman, who, soon after we were 
seated at table, said, 4 1 understand you preach perfection.' 
I do, said I, and have done so for a number of years ; and 
shall do so as long as I find the doctrine in the Bible. 
4 Why, sir,' said he, 4 Paul was not perfect ; he complains - 
of a thorn in the side.' The heart is the place for sin, 
said I, and not the side. He then mentioned several other 
passages of Scripture which he thought were opposed to 
holiness of heart, which I explained to him. Pray, said I, 
let us come to the point at once. Do you believe that an 
unholy creature can enter into heaven ? 4 No.' Pray 
when is sin to be destroyed 1 4 At death.' You must 
then hold with death as being part of a saviour, or with a 
purgatory after death, or you must come to perfection on 
this side* the grave. He sat amazed, and seemed to give 
up the argument. We rose from the table. I went to 
prayer ; then went on my journey, and preached at six 
o'clock in the court house. When I left the old man, he 
desired me to make his house my home. I left Fletcher's 

7 



146 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON, El 785, 



Checks with him. Shortly after, I received a few lines 
from him to this effect : — 'I believe you to be a servant of 
God. I hope the Lord will bless you, and those that sent 
you here. I want to see you at my house at every oppor- 
tunity. I thank you for the book.' " 

Mr. Garrettson, in another place, gives the following 
summary of their leading absurdities: — " 1. They think 
they can tell whether a person is a Christian at first sight. 

2. They say that we are leading people blindfolded to hell. 

3. They are, they say, as sure of heaven as if they were 
already there, for sin cannot hurt them." " I never met 
with such a people in my life. There are about fifty of 
them in Liverpool." 

From the date of the following letter, found among his 
papers, it must have been written about this time. It 
seems to contain a short account of his experience and 
labours up to that time. 

AN UNFINISHED LETTER TO MR. WESLEY. 

" Halifax, April 20, 1785. 

" Rev. and Dear Sir, — -Known to me, yet unknown, I 
have many things to write, but am afraid of burdening 
you, or of taking up your precious time, which I believe 
you are redeeming moment by moment. I bless God that 
I ever heard of your name or read your numerous works, 
Close doctrine and discipline I dearly love. This spring 
is fourteen years since I was powerfully convinced without 
the use of human means. The doctrine of the first Me- 
thodist preacher I ever heard was as precious ointment to 
my poor wounded soul. I was sure he was a servant 
of the living God. I have been travelling in your con- 
nection nine years, during which time (I desire to write it 
with humility) God has granted me health, so that I have 
seldom missed preaching the whole of that time. My lot 
has mostly been cast in new places, to form circuits, which 
much exposed me to persecution. Once I was imprisoned; 
twice beaten ; left on the highway speechless and sense- 
less ; (I must have gone into a world of spirits, had not 
God in mercy sent a good Samaritan that bled, and took 
me to a friend's house ;) once shot at ; guns and pistols 
presented at my breast ; once delivered from an armed 



1785,] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON, 



147 



mob, in the dead time of night, on the highway, by a 
surprising flash of lightning ; surrounded frequently by 
mobs ; stoned frequently : I have had to escape for my 
life at dead time of night, O ! shall I ever forget the 
divine hand which has supported me. O that I could love 
my God more, and serve him with a more perfect heart ! 
It was three years from my conviction before I was brought 
through the pangs of the new birth. Eight months elapsed 
after I was called to preach, before I was will ng to leave 
my all and go out. I wanted to live in retirement, and had 
almost got my own consent to sell what I had in the world 
and retire to a cell. God withdrew himself from me. I 
was very near desperation, for I was travelling, as it were, 
alone. I betook myself to my room, except when I was 
wandering through the woods and fields, till I was worn 
away to a skeleton ; and all this time I was kept from 
unbosoming myself to the lovers of Jesus. Strong im- 
pressions I had to go forth in Jehovah's name to preach 
the gospel. When I thought of it, I was pained to the 
very heart : it seemed like death, so great was the sense 
I had of my weakness and ignorance, By day I was 
drawn out in the study of the Holy Scriptures, and in the 
night season, when fast asleep, preaching aloud, till I have 
been as wet with sweat as if dipped in a river. O ! what 
a precious time I had when I gave up my own to the will 
of God. I saw there was no other way for me to be saved. 
I was determined, if required, to go to the ^nds of the 
earth ; yea, I promised the Lord if he would stand by 
me, and required it, I would go to the very mouth of hell. 
Blessed be God, he has been very kind and good to me 
ever since. 

" The second year I travelled, I was powerfully con- 
vinced of the necessity of holiness. For a considerable 
time I waded through deep, but sweet distress. I had a 
discovery of the purity of the law, and the impurity of my 
own heart : being conscious it was my privilege to become 
pure in heart, I determined not to stop short of it. Sen- 
sible I was it came by faith. I was under deep exercises 
to preach no more till I received that blessing. There 
was a time when I had a greater nearness to God, but 
I did not receive the witness till a twelve-month after- 
ward. F. Garrettson." 



148 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1785, 



Soon after writing the above, it seems he received the 
following from Mr. Wesley, which will show in what 
high estimation he was held by that eminently useful man 
of "God 

" Dublin, June 26, 1785. 

" My Dear Brother, — Dr. Coke gives some account of 
you in his journal, so that although I have not seen you, 
I am not a stranger to your character. By all means send 
me, when you have opportunity, a more particular account 
of your experience and travels. It is no way improbable 
that God may find out a way for you to visit England, and 
it may be the means of your receiving more strength, as 
well as more light. It is a very desirable thing that the 
children of God should communicate their experience to 
each other ; and it is generally most profitable when they 
can do it face to face. Till providence opens a way for you 
to see Europe, do all you can for a good Master in 
America. 

" I am glad brother Cromwell and you have undertaken 
that labour of love, the visiting Nova Scotia, and doubt 
not but you act in full concert with the little handful who 
were almost alone till you came. It will be the wisest way 
to make all those who desire to join together, thoroughly 
acquainted with the whole Methodist plan, and to accustom 
them, from the very beginning, to the accurate observance 
of all our rules. Let none of them rest in being half Chris- 
tians. Whatever they do, let them do it with their might, 
and it will be well, as soon as any of them find peace with 
God, to exhort them to go on to perfection. The more 
explicitly and strongly you press all believers to aspire 
after full sanctihcation as attainable now by simple faith, 
the more the whole work of God will prosper. 

"I do not expect any great matters from the bishop. I 
doubt his eye is not single, and if it be not, he will do little 
good to you, or any one else. It may be a comfort to you 
that you have no need of him : you want nothing which 
he can give. 

" It is a noble proposal of brother Marchington ; but I 
doubt it will not take place. You do not know the state 
of the English Methodists. They do not roll in money 
like many of the American Methodists. It is with the 



1785.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



149 



utmost difficulty that we can raise five or six hundred 
pounds a year to supply our contingent expenses, so that 
it is entirely impracticable to raise rive hundred pounds 
among them to build houses in America. It is true they 
might do much ; but it is a sad observation, they that have 
most money have usually least grace. The peace of God 
be with all your spirits. 

"I am your affectionate friend and brother, 

"J. Wesley." 

After visiting Digby, and forming a small society, on 
Tuesday, July 26th, he set sail for Liverpool ; but in con- 
sequence of head winds, he did not reach his place of 
destination until Friday morning. Here he preached on 
the same evening in the Congregational meeting house, 
and again on Saturday with much freedom, to a people 
manifesting great willingness to hear the word. He con- 
tinued in Liverpool about four weeks, constantly preach* 
ing and visiting from house to house, and many hearts 
were powerfully touched under the word, so that when he 
took his leave, the society had doubled its number, in- 
creasing from twenty to forty members, several of whom 
were savingly converted to God. 

In the month of August Mr. Garrettson left Liverpool 
for Shelburn ; and after a passage of forty-eight hours, he 
arrived safely, and found a society of sixteen members. 
Though at the commencement of his preaching, in Shel- 
burn, he had only about fifty hearers, his congregation 
soon increased, so that their little chapel would not con- 
tain them all. Seeing the eagerness of the people to hear, 

one of the rectors of the parish, a Mr. W , gave him 

the use of his pulpit, which he occupied until some of the 
vestry, excited to opposition by witnessing the manifest 
displays of awakening power under the preaching of Mr. 
Garrettson, interposed their authority, and he silently 
withdrew from the church, and immediately adopted means 
for enlarging their own house of worship : in the mean 
time he thanked the rector for his kindness, who very 
reluctantly acceded to the wishes of his vestry, in their 
opposition to Mr. Garrettson. 

Mr. Garrettson gives the following account of the com- 
mencement of Methodism in Liverpool : — " Captain D. s 



150 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON\ 



[1785, 



since gone to heaven, some time before any of us came to 
the place, met with Mr. Wesley's tract called The Cha- 
racter of a Methodist, and having a great desire excited to 
hear one of the Methodist preachers, he sent to Shelburn, 
and requested brother John Mann to visit them. Shortly 
after, Mr. Mann paid them a visit, and many of the people 
heard him gladly, though much opposed by the Allenites 
before mentioned. As he went one Lord's day to the 
meeting house to preach, a party of these zealous disciples 

were determined, if possible, to prevent it. Colonel P , 

a very mild man, and a friend to all religious people, endea- 
voured calmly to reason with them, but to little purpose, 
until another magistrate spoke more authoritatively, which 
induced them to relinquish their design, and to permit 
Mr. Mann peaceably to proceed. From open opposition 
they restored to secret insinuations, with a view to preju- 
dice the people against us." 

Though it had been only eight years since they began 
building the town of Shelburn, there were on the arrival 
of Mr. Garrettson about ten thousand inhabitants, mostly 
refugees— so rapidly had the town increased. 

He remained about six weeks in this place, occasionally 
visiting some adjacent villages, during which time he 
received one hundred and fifty members into the society. 
It was not all fair weather, however, while he was here. 
He says he was stoned, had rotten eggs thrown at him, 
and when he embarked for Liverpool, the captain of a 
man of war cried out, "Hail for the Methodist preacher !" 
and soon a gun was hred, which obliged them to lower sail, 
and he had to submit to have his trunk examined, but was 
dismissed with no other annoyance than the sound of some 
blasphemous oaths from the sailors. "Blessed be God," 
says he, " they had not power to hurt me." After a stormy 
passage he arrived at Liverpool. Here he remained two 
weeks, preaching the word with much assurance and 
comfort. From thence he embarked for Halifax, and 
found the society he had left in peace. He remained in 
this place until the first day of February, during which 
time he had the happiness of receiving into society, as a 
broken-hearted penitent, a person who before had been 
famous for pouring contempt upon religion. He also 
visited the towns of Horton and Cornwallis, and preached 



1785,] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



151 



with great freedom, evenings, as well as in the day time. 
To be idle, while he beheld so many precious souls " in 
the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity," he could not. 
We therefore find him braving the storms and tempests, 
from one place to another, travelling on foot through snow 
and mud, where the roads were too bad to admit his travel- 
ling on horseback, that he might, as widely as possible, 
extend the empire of his divine Lord and Master. 

Mr. Garrettson, in his semi-centennial sermon, preached 
and published at the request of the New- York conference, 
speaking of his travels in Nova Scotia, says, " I traversed 
the mountains and valleys, frequently on foot, with my 
knapsack on my back, guided by Indian paths in the 
wilderness, when it was not expedient to take a horse ; 
and I had often to wade through morasses half leg deep 
in mud and water ; frequently satisfying my hunger with 
a piece of bread and pork from my knapsack, quenching 
my thirst from a brook, and resting my weary limbs on the 
leaves of the trees. Thanks be to God ! he compensated 
me for all my toil, for many precious souls were awakened 
and converted to God." 

To these privations, labours, and sufferings, he volun- 
tarily submitted. For however truly it may be said of 
some, that their circumstances in life might have com- 
pelled them to equal, or even greater hardships in another 
calling, that they might secure a scanty maintenance, this 
cannot be said of Mr. Garrettson. His patrimonial estate 
was amply sufficient to yield him a comfortable mainte- 
nance, simply by his exercising over it a prudential super- 
intendence. But being called out from a sense of duty to 
his God and his fellow-men, he willingly renounced the 
world " with all its pomps and vanities," and without 
pecuniary fee or reward, submitted to all this drudgery of 
labour, this " reproach of Christ," having respect solely 
unto the eternal " recompense of reward," and the salva- 
tion of sinners. 

The following letters will more fully unfold the state 
and prospects of the work in which Mr. Garrettson was 
engaged in Nova Scotia, as well as the difficulties with 
which he had to contend. Those sent to him by Mr. 
Wesley are also inserted, because every thing coming 
from a man so eminently useful is very interesting ; they 



152 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1786. 



serve moreover to explain some allusions in the letters of 
Mr. Garrettson, as well as to exhibit the deep interest which 
Mr. Wesley took in every part of the work of God, how- 
ever remote from the immediate scene of his own labours. 

"Shelbum, April 25, 1786. 

" Rev. and Dear Sir, — Some weeks ago I left Halifax^ 
and went to Liverpool, where the Lord is carrying on a 
blessed work : many precious souls of late have been set 
at liberty to praise a sin-pardoning God. There is a lively 
society. Allen's small party oppose us warmly. The 
greater part of the town attend our ministry, and the first 
people have joined our society. 

" A few days ago I came to this town, where I met dear 
afflicted brother Cromwell, and was glad to find him able 
to set out for Liverpool and Halifax. A negro man, by 
the name of Morant, lately from England, who says he 
was sent by lady Huntingdon, has done much hurt in 
society among the blacks at Burch town. I believe that 
Satan sent him. Before he came there was a glorious 
work going on among these poor creatures, now (brother 
Cromwell not being able to attend) there is much confusion. 
The devil's darts are sometimes turned upon his own 
miserable head. 

" Our chapel in Shelburn is not able to contain the 
congregation, and at present our friends are not able to 
build a larger. If I thought it right, I could wish, yea, 
beg for fifty or sixty pounds from England to promote the 
building one. Blessed be God, there are some precious 
souls here ; but I expect many will be obliged to move to 
other places for want of business. The people in Halifax 
have had very little preaching of late, at which they are 
much tried. It is impossible for us to supply half the 
places where they want us. I have written to Mr. Asbury 
for help, but with no certainty of obtaining it, as the work 
seems to be spreading among them, 

" I am an unprofitable servant, but blessed be God, the 
desire of my soul is to be instrumental in spreading the 
glorious gospel. I find a willingness to spend my all for 
God. I meet with many difficulties, but a moment's con- 
templation of the eternal world weighs down all. A man 
who labours for God in this country needs a greater degree 



1786.1 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



153 



of grace, fortitude, and wisdom than I possess. Dear sir, 
if you are disposed to send books to be given to the poor, 
or for sale, the sooner the better : let me know the condi- 
tions, and I will do the best in my power. The Saints' 
Rest, and hymn books, are wanted ; the small select 
hymn book would sell; some pieces displaying the nature, 
manner, and doctrine of the Methodists ; your journals 
and sermons; Mr. Walsh's Life ; dear Mr, Fletcher's 
Works have been a blessing in Cornwallis and Horton. 
I would to God they could be spread all through the 
country. I wrote in a former letter for some of the new 
prayer books adapted to the kingdom. 

" We have bought two horses, which will do for the 
present. In some places the people will be able to sup- 
port the gospel. In general they are poor ; but in my 
opinion this country wants nothing but pure religion and 
industry to make it desirable. I have seldom seen a better 
spring in Pennsylvania or Maryland. The winter has been 
very moderate, except a few weeks. Much of the land is 
very good, and I am informed they get from twenty to forty 
bushels of grain from an acre ; and hay and vegetables in 
great abundance. 

" I want to die to the world, and live wholly to God. 
This is the constant prayer and desire of your unworthy 
servant, 

" F. Garrettson." 

TO THE REV. FREEBORN GARRETTSON. 

"London Sept. 30, 1786. 
" My Dear Brother, — I trust before this comes to hand, 
you and Dr. Coke will have met and refreshed each other's 
bowels in the Lord. I can exceedingly ill spare him from 
England, as I have no clergyman capable of supplying his 
lack of service ; but I was convinced he was more wanted 
in America than in Europe. For it is impossible but 
offences will come, and of yourselves will men arise speak- 
ing perverse things, and striving to draw away disciples 
after them. It is a wonderful blessing they are restrained 
so long, till the poor people are a little grounded in the 
faith. You have need to watch over them with your might. 
Let those that have set their hands to the plough, conti- 

7* 



154 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1786. 



nually pray to the Lord of the harvest that he would send 
forth more labourers into his harvest. 

" It is far better to send your journals as they are than 
not to send them at all. I am afraid it is too late in the 
season to send books this year, but I hope Dr. Coke has 
brought some with him to serve you for the present. I 
w r as far from London when he set sail. Most of those 
in England who have riches love money, even the Method- 
ists, at least those who are called so. The poor are the 
Christians. I am quite out of conceit with almost all 
those who have this world's goods. Let us take care to 
lay up our treasure in heaven. Peace be with your spirit. 
" I am your affectionate friend and brother, 

"J. Wesley." 

TO THE REV. FREEBORN GARRETTSON. 

" Nov. 30, 1786. 

" My Dear Brother, — You have great reason to be 
thankful to God, that he lets you see the fruit of your 
labours. Whenever any are awakened, you do well to 
join them together immediately. But I do not advise you 
to go on too fast. It is not expedient to break up more 
ground than you can keep ; to preach at any more places 
than you or your brethren can constantly attend. To 
preach once in a place, and no more, very seldom does 
any good ; it only alarms the devil and his children, and 
makes them more upon their guard against a first assault. 

" Wherever there is any Church service, I do not approve 
of any appointment the same hour ; because I love the 
Church of England, and would assist, not oppose it, all I 
can. How d*o the inhabitants of Shelburne, Halifax, and 
other parts of the province, go on as to temporal things 1 
Have they trade ? Have they sufficiency of food, and the 
other necessaries of life ? And do they increase or decrease 
in numbers ? It seems there is a scarcity of some things, 
of good ink, for yours is so pale that many of your words 
are not legible. 

"As I take it for granted you have had several conver- 
sations with Dr. Coke, I doubt not you proposed all your 
difficulties to him. and received full satisfaction concerning 



1787.1 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



155 



tliem. Commending you to Him who is able to guide 
and strengthen you in all things. 

" I am vour affectionate friend and brother, 

" J. Wesley." 

U P. S. Probably we shall send a little help for your 
building, if we live till conference. Observe the rules for 
building laid down in the Minutes. 

"I see nothing of your journal yet. I am afraid of an- 
other American revolution. I know not how to get the 
enclosed safe to Dr. Coke, probably you know ; on second 
thoughts I think it best not to write to him at present." 

A. LETTER FROM MR. GARRETTSOX TO SIR. WESLEY. 

" Halifax, March 10. 1787. 

" Rev. axd Dear Sir, — I received yours dated London, 
September 30th. As I have not had an opportunity of 
writing for a long time, I shall be the more particular in 
this. By a storm Dr. Coke was driven to Antigua, and it 
is not certain when he will be here. We are much dis- 
appointed, but hope it will all work together for good. 

" My time this winter has been spent mostly in Horton, 
Windsor, and Cornwallis. In the former there has been a 
divine display ; many convinced and converted to God. 
A few months ago the place was famous for the works of 
the devil — now for singing, praying, and hearing the word. 
If the work continue much longer as it has done, the greater 
part of the people will be brought in. I have had a blessed 
winter among them. The work greatly revives to the west. 
James Mann (a young man God has lately given us, whose 
praise is in the churches) writes, 1 God is carrying on his 
work in a glorious manner in Barrington ; the people flock 
from every quarter to hear the word : many have been 
convinced, and about fourteen have been set at liberty, 
some of whom were famous for all manner of wickedness. 
The fields here seem white for harvest.' 

" Brother Cromwell has had his station in Shelburne, but 
is very poorly : he writes, ' There seem to be very dull 
times in this town : hundreds have the small pox, &c. 
The Lord enabled me to go on as far as Cape Negro. I 
could only stay to preach a few sermons, &c. It would 
do you good to see the dear people, some rejoicing, and 



156 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR R ETTSON. 



[1787. 



others mourning. In this way they continued good part 
of the night ; depend upon it there is a blessed revival 
here. I returned to Shelburne very poorly, and expect, if 
God spares my life, to go home early in the spring.' 

" Brother John Mann at Liverpool writes, 'I am greatly 
comforted under an expectation of an ingathering here : 
the society is very lively ; several added, and several lately 
converted.' 6zc. Dear sir, it would cause your heart to 
rejoice to know what a deadly wound Antinomianism has 
received in the town of Horton. My dear Master has given 
me one of the first lawyers in Cornwallis and his lady. 

" Brother Black is very steady and zealous in our cause, 
and has gone for a few weeks to the country. I can say 
this for Halifax, they are very kind in supporting brother 
Black's family ; I think they give a guinea a week, and 
they have got a famous chapel nearly ready to preach in ; 
it will contain a thousand people. Religion, I fear, is not 
very deep as yet. 

"'William Grandine, a young preacher, whom I men- 
tioned in a former letter, has returned to his friends. I am 
under a necessity of going to the west to relieve brother 
Cromwell. I know not what will become of the young 
work in Horton : God can raise up or send us a preacher. 
Poor Cumberland is still mourning for want of one. 

'•'I have received no books since I came to the province. 
We thought it expedient to have about fifty pounds' worth 
printed, as the printer was at leisure this winter. He 
printed several tracts very reasonably. Shall I ever see 
your face ? Lord grant that I may be found worthy to meet 
you in heaven. So far I have been kept by the power of 
the Spirit, and I hope I shall never bring a reproach on 
the good cause. I want to be more given up to the work, 
with a greater nearness to God. 

i; I remain, as ever, your affectionate son, 

"F. Garrettsox." 

" P. S. Since I wrote this letter, I received one from 
brother Mann at Liverpool, saying, 1 The Lord has broken 
in, in a wonderful manner, among the people, especially 
among the young. Within a few days twenty have been 
set at liberty : nine were converted one night.' Surely the 
Lord will do great things for us. 



1784.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



157 



A LETTER FROM MR. GARRETTSOX TO MR. WESLEY. 

" Shelhmu Sept, 25, 1787. 
" Rev. axd Dear Sir, — Lest my other letter did not 
reach your hand, I send this. My time this summer has 
been spent principally between this and Barrington, which 
has occasioned me many fatiguing journeys through the 
woods, many times half leg deep in mud and water. 
Blessed be God, he has supported me under all my diffi- 
culties. 

" When I first made my entrance among the people at 
Barrington, Satan strove in every possible way to hinder. 
1. The people were dissenters almost to a man. 2. There 
was a party of those they call New Lights, who stood in 
opposition, and a preacher of that denomination warned 
the people against me, telling them I was legal and desti- 
tute of faith. 3. A letter was sent by a Calvinist preacher 
who had ministered among them, warning them against 
an American. For a few days I was under great exercise 
about leaving the town, despairing of ever being the means 
of planting the gospel under these and other disadvan- 
tages. 

" The second Sabbath I preached among them many 
came out to hear, and a recommendatory letter was written 
on many hearts. Before I had scarcely a place to lay my 
head ; since, I have not wanted friends. I visited a small 
harbour a few miles off, were there were about ten fami- 
lies. We had a divine display of the goodness of God : 
very few were left behind. Of these families I have join- 
ed sixteen in society, ten of whom know the pardoning love 
of God to their souls. About thirty young and old have 
been baptized. One man cried out bitterly against his 
wife ; went out to hear; was cut to the heart, and now 
both are rejoicing in the Lord. At the head of the har- 
bour we had a gracious display; very few families escaped 
conviction more or less. I visited almost every family, as 
also on the two islands, and most of them were willing 
to submit to our American plan, as it is called. At the 
head the meeting house stands, where I have joined a pros- 
perous society, as also at another harbour. Blessed be 
God } there have been many as clear and as powerful con- 



158 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1784. 



versions in this township as I have seen in any part of 
the States. At different times this summer I have spent 
about eight weeks in the township and have formed a 
small circuit, able and willing to support a preacher. 
There are about fifty members, twenty of whom I favour- 
ably hope have experienced the love of God. and many 
who are not in society are earnestly seeking. I appointed 
four leaders and two stewards. I am so far on my journey 
to Liverpool, and I expect to meet the doctor in Halifax, 
in which place we are to hold a conference the middle of 
next month. 

" My hope revives for Shelburne ; there has been an ad- 
dition, and the society has become more lively. I have 
given them my consent to take one hundred pounds on 
interest toward building a church. Most of the coloured 
people whom Morant drew off have returned. I shall 
not be satisfied till we get a preaching house in this place. 
I must beg some from Europe and some from the States. 

" Some months ago I received a letter from Mr. Asbury, 
in which he intimated the desire they had of my being or- 
dained to superintend the work in the north. I answered 
the letter. A few days ago I received one from the doc- 
tor on the same subject. Three considerations caused 
doubts to arise in my mind in relation to this important 
question. 1. The great desire I have of seeing England 
sooner or later. 2. My unfitness for so great a work. 
3. There are many in your connection so much more fit 
for the place. I love the connection, and want to do every 
thing in my power to promote it. Perhaps when I shall 
receive a letter from you, and meet with the doctor, more 
light will be cast on the subject. Don't think hard of my 
not sending my journal. 

" I have not heard from brother Cromwell for some time. 
Brother Black informs me there is a moving in Halifax. 
I desire your prayers and counsel. God is love, and I 
wish to be more humble. 

" I still remain your affectionate though unworthy son, r ~ 

"F. Garrettson," 



1787.] LIFE OF REV, F. GARRETTSON. 



159 



FROM MR. WESLEY TO MR. GARRETTSON. 

" Macclesfield, July 16, 1787. 

" My Dear Brother, — I have your letter of March 15, 
and that of May 20th. In the former you give me a pleasing 
account of the work of God in Halifax and other towns 
in Nova Scotia ; and indeed everywhere except poor 
Shelburne, from which I had an excellent account a few 
years ago. Shall the first be last ? What could have occa- 
sioned the decrease of the work there ? St. Paul's advice 
is certainly good for all Methodist preachers — that it is 
good for a man not to touch a woman ; and 'if thou mayest 
be free, use it rather and yet I dare not exclude those 
who marry out of our connection, or forbid to marry; but 
happy are those who having no necessity laid upon them, 
stand fast in the glorious liberty. I commend you for 
laying as little burden upon the poor people as possible. 

" Before I had printing presses of my own I used to 
pay two and thirty shillings for printing two and twenty 
pages duodecimo. The paper was from twelve to sixteen 
shillings a ream. I do not blame you for printing those 
tracts. 

" But you do not send me your journal yet : surely you 
have had time enough to write it over. Dr. Coke seems 
to think you are irresolute, yet not willing to take advice. 
I hope better things of you, and your heart says to God 
and man, What I know not, teach thou me. 

"I am your affectionate friend and brother, 

"J. Wesley." 

The following letter to Mr. Asbury, though dated before 
some of the preceding, is inserted here, that the whole 
correspondence with Mr. Wesley might appear together. 

A LETTER FROM MR. GARRETTSON TO MR. ASBURY. 

" 1786. 

" My Very Dear Brother, — I had the pleasure of re- 
ceiving yours dated Charlestown, January 15, 1786, and 
considered the contents. I had strange feelings on reading 

the account of poor G g, but was happy to hear of my 

dear old friend, brother Cole. I fear there is a wide door 
open for the last b — — p to do us much hurt. that 



160 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



L1787. 



our dear Lord and Master may lay to his hand, and let the 
blind world know that there is a God in Israel. 

" I have seen neither brother Cromwell, Black, nor Mann, 
since last fall, though I have frequently conversed with them 
by letter. My time this winter has been spent in Halifax, 
and in the different towns between that and Annapolis. 
In Cornwallis the last time I was there I put a chapel on 
foot ; there were nearly five hundred dollars subscribed : 
how they will manage I know not. On my return I put 
one on foot in Windsor. In this town God has given us 
a loving society. A few friends are willing to build one 
at Annapolis, though they have had very little preaching 
for six months. This day they began to draw stone for 
building a church in this town also. It is to be the same 
size of that of Mr. White, except a pitch higher. I have 
preached several sermons in Dartmouth, a new town, 
six miles from this. They seem very desirous, and made 
an offer of erecting a small house of worship, if we would 
pay attention to them. 

" God willing, what time I have to stay in this town I 
expect to spend as follows, viz., Sunday, eight o'clock, 
preach in our little chapel, which will hold about four 
hundred persons ; ten o'clock preach in the poor house, 
where there are about a hundred people ; — I gave them 
books which attached them to me ; I hope great good will 
be done among them ; — at twelve o'clock in the preaching 
house ; four o'clock in a private house by the dock yard ; 
and by candle light in the chapel. I preach every night 
in the week: Friday visit the prisoners. After all I feel 
myself a poor needy creature. You desired me to send 
our minutes. I wanted to have a little conference in this 
place the first of April, and to have sent a full account to 
your conference : but this cannot be, and as I know bro- 
ther Cromwell's mind, I shall give you as full an account 
as I can. Halifax, where there are forty members, will 
employ one preacher ; Horton circuit will employ another, 
where I left sixty members ; Annapolis circuit will em- 
ploy another, where I left nearly one hundred members last 
fall ; but how they are now I know not. In these three 
districts I expect brother Cromwell, brother Black, and 
brother Grandine will be stationed. This brother Gran- 
dine is a young man we have taken on trial : I think he 



1787.1 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



161 



will be a preacher. Brother Mann must take his station 
at Liverpool, where there are about forty members. 

" There is Cumberland, where there is nothing but sin 
and the devil to hinder our gospel. This place would 
employ two preachers : however, one at present would do. 
There are about fifty members. In and around Shelburn 
there are between two and three hundred members, white 
and black. Much hurt has been done by a black man 
sent by Lady Huntingdon, as brother Cromwell was not 
able to attend them constantly. Then there is the city of 
St. John's, and the country all around : 1 suppose there are 
twenty thousand souls. A few of our friends are scattered 
in that part ; but in all that space there is only one clergy- 
man, an old church parson. I was informed by a respectable 
man from the east, that there are hundreds of souls entirely 
destitute of the gospel. I have heard very little from 
Newfoundland : Mr. Wesley has sent brother Megary 
there, as I am informed by Dr. Coke. So you may see 
we are in want of three preachers. I made bold to open 
matters to Mr. Wesley, and begged of him to send one 
preacher from England, as a number of people would pre- 
fer an Englishman to an American. Many have refused 
hearing me on this account. However, this prejudice 
would soon wear away. The Lord knows I am willing 
to do every thing in my power for the furtherance of the 
gospel : but as to confining myself to Nova Scotia, or any 
part of the world, I could not ; a good God does not require 
it of me. 

" There are several thousand coloured people in this 
province, and the greater part of them are willing to be 
instructed. What do you think of sending Harry here 
this spring ? I think he would be very useful. I have no 
doubt but the people will support their preachers in this 
country. It would be very well if the preachers who come 
would bring money to pay their passage ; for we have but 
little money in hand, having been under the necessity of 
buying two horses. 

" Next week I purpose going to Shelburn, where I ex- 
pect to meet brother Cromwell : if we think it expedient, 
and have an opportunity, one of us will attend conference, 
where we can state matters fairly. I send this letter lest 
I should have no other opportunity. A preacher will not 



162 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1787. 



do here unless he is able to take a circuit. Let him be in 

orders. v • -, 

" Yours m love, 

" F. Garrettsox. 

" P. S. In Horton the Lord has given us a kind friend, 
though not converted, Mr. Crane. He and his brother-in- 
law have offered two hundred dollars toward building a 
church in that town. There are many places I should be 
glad to visit, if there were preachers to supply the places 
already mentioned. Dr. Coke wrote to me to visit New- 
foundland last fall, but it was not practicable." 

The preceding letters contain so full and explicit an 
account of the state of things in Nova Scotia, as well as 
the manner in which Mr. Garrettson filled up every moment 
of time in his Master's work, that the necessity of copious 
extracts from his journal is superseded. As his travels in 
this province form a very important era in the history of 
his life, I thought it necessary to be as particular as the 
limits of this work will allow in the details of his suffer- 
ings and labours in that country. Certainly his diligence 
and zeal, his self-denial, his prayerfulness and watchful- 
ness, as well as the privations endured in this cold region 
of country, while they speak in the language of rebuke to 
" the slothful servant," may be exhibited as an example of 
encouragement to those zealous preachers who are emulous 
to excel in " every good vork" connected with their high 
and responsible calling. 

The following anecdotes and reflections are from the 
pen of his amiable and pious daughter, to whose diligence 
in selecting from her venerable father's papers, and trans- 
scribing them, these memoirs are greatly indebted. 

" Thus has my dear and honoured father ended his 
notes to his printed journal. When they were commenced 
and when ended I cannot precisely say, but I think it is 
one of the last testimonies which he has left, probably 
written very near the close of his devoted life. His me- 
mory was stored with a rich fund of anecdote, and I regret 
exceedingly that of many passages of his life he has left 
no record. His journals while in Nova Scotia, except 
those in print, are I believe lost. I have been able to find 
only short notices of his labours while there, and among 



1787.1 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



163 



my earliest and most pleasant recollections are the details 
which my dear father used to give me of his residence in 
that region of frost and snow. I well remember the de- 
light with which I used to climb his knee, and the impor- 
tunity with which I used to beg for a story about Nova 
Scotia ; — and in riper years — but those halcyon days are 
for ever flown : tears will not recall them. At one time 
in order to attend his appointment, he rode through an 
unfrequented country : the hail driving in his face until 
nearly benumbed, he was obliged to lay the reins on the 
neck of his horse, and leave the animal by his own instinct 
to keep the road. There was no visible track, and turn- 
ing out of the road in that country exposed the traveller to 
the greatest fatigue, as his horse sunk in the mass of 
unbeaten snow. At length he arrived at the only house 
he had seen ; his horse stopped at the door, and he had 
only life enough left to walk in and throw himself on the 
bed. None but children were within, who covered him 
with plenty of bed clothes, while he lay almost insensible 
for nine hours, and had nearly forfeited his valuable life by 
too great eagerness in his Master's cause. 

" He had often to cross the St. John's, whose tide re- 
cedes, leaving its bed nearly empty, and again comes roar- 
ing up Avith great velocity and force, sweeping everything 
before it, and elevating on its waves the vessels and ships 
which it had left dry. During its recession its bed is ford- 
able ; but in winter the crossing is dangerous on account 
of the large masses of ice it leaves behind. On one occa- 
sion his guide, instead of leading him up the river, w^ent 
down, and they were not apprized of their danger until 
they saw the tide fast roaring toward them. The guide 
shrieked out, ' Put spurs to your horse and make for the 
nearest land ! J He did so, although uncertain whether it 
would be accessible when attained, for the shores there- 
about were very bold and rugged. His horse was fleet ; 
the shore was accessible ; he outrode the wave, which 
swept over the back of his horse just as he had set foot 
upon the land. I have often heard my father say that 
if he had only been half the length of his horse's body 
behind, he should have been swept off like a feather on 
the tide." 

It appears that Mr. Garrettson continued to travel and 



164 



LIFE OF REV, F. GARRETTSON". [1787, 



preach in this province until April 10th, 1787, when he 
embarked for Boston, Mass., leaving, as a testimony of his 
fidelity and success in his Lord's vineyard, about six hun- 
dred members in society. After a perilous passage of 
three days he arrived in Boston, where he was kindly re- 
ceived by a few pious friends. 

About seventeen years before the visit of Mr. Garrettson, 
Mr. Boardman, one of the European Methodist preachers, 
had preached in Boston, and formed a small society ; but 
not being succeeded by any minister of the same order, the 
society gradually diminished, so that at the time of which 
we are now speaking there were only three members left. 
Not being admitted to any of the pulpits in this city, Mr. 
Garrettson preached a few sermons in some private houses, 
and on Monday, April 17th, he passed on to Providence, in 
Rhode Island, where he says he found several who loved 
the Lord Jesus. Here he was invited by the Presbyterian 
minister, the Rev. Mr. Snow, who he says was a worthy 
and pious man, to preach in his church, which he did 
twice to a numerous and attentive audience. Passing 
from thence to Newport, he preached by invitation in the 
meetinghouse, morning and evening, to a numerous assem- 
bly, among whom he rejoiced to find some, as he believed, 
eminently pious. He then sailed for New- York, where, 
after a paasage of forty-eight hours, he arrived in safety, 
and was much refreshed in meeting his old friends, and 
participating with their joy in a revival of religion with 
which they had been favoured. After preaching on the 
Lord's day with much satisfaction, and spending a few 
days in visiting some of his Christian friends, he went for- 
ward to Philadelphia, where he preached a few times, 
" took sweet counsel" with his brethren, and departed for 
Baltimore, where he arrived on Tuesday, and "my heart," 
says he, " was made glad while I sat in conference with 
many of my old friends, the servants of Jesus." 

It was now eleven years since Mr. Garrettson com* 
menced his itinerating labours. When he entered this 
arduous field, there were three thousand one hundred and 
forty-eight members in the societies, and nineteen preach- 
ers ; they were now increased to twenty thousand six 
hundred and eighty-one members, and one hundred and 
seventeen preachers ; making an increase of seventeen 



1787.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



165 



thousand four hundred and thirty-three members, and 
ninety-eight preachers. Although others contributed their 
portion toward this extension of the work of God, it must 
be evident to all who impartially consult the preceding 
pages that Mr. Garrettson was among the most active, 
zealous, and successful of them all. Indeed, as the Rev. 
Ezekiel Cooper, who, after his awakening and conversion 
as before mentioned, was intimately acquainted with Mr. 
Garrettson, observed to me, he seemed to be all devotion, 
full of prayer and faith ; and his preaching was attended 
with the mighty power of God. Listening multitudes hung 
on his lips with the most fixed attention, while the Spirit of 
God, which so eminently accompanied his word, powerfully 
wrought upon their hearts, extorting the anxious inquiry, 
" What must we do to be saved V 9 



CHAPTER XII. 

We have traced the life of our venerable father in the 
gospel thus far, having been guided by his printed and 
manuscript journals. We have seen him contending with 
the cold, the snow, the mud and water of the north, and 
seen him triumphing in the midst of these and other pri- 
vations of that inhospitable climate, from a consciousness 
of the divine approbation and the prospect of usefulness 
to the souls of men ; until having completed his mission 
in these parts, he found himself once more seated among 
his beloved brethren in these United States. 

To give a faithful narrative of the events of his life, it 
is necessary to detail some of the transactions of this con- 
ference, which was held in Baltimore, May 1st, 1787. It 
seems that Mr. Wesley, having witnessed the sincerity, 
zeal, and devotedness of Mr. Garrettson in the work of 
the ministry, had designated him as the future superintend- 
ent of the Methodist societies in the British dominions in 
America. Dr. Coke, on his arrival to this conference, 
made known the wishes of Mr. Wesley in this respect, 
and the subject was submitted to the conference, and was 
by that body "unanimously sanctioned." 



166 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1787. 



Mr. Garrettson, with a view to correct an erroneous 
statement which had been made of this affair, gives in his 
" semi-centennial sermon" a fair and candid narration of 
the facts in the case. He says that after the conference 
had approved of his appointment to this office by Mr. 
Wesley, " Dr. Coke, as Mr. Wesley's delegate and repre- 
sentative, asked me if I would accept of the appointment. 
I requested the liberty of deferring my answer until the 
next day. I think on the next day the doctor came to my 
room, and asked me if I had made up my mind to accept 
of my appointment : I told him I had upon certain condi- 
tions. I observed to him that I was willing to go on a 
tour, and visit those parts to which I was appointed for 
one year ; and if there was a cordiality in the appointment 
w r ith those whom I was requested to serve, I would return 
to the next conference, and receive ordination for the office 
of superintendent. His reply was, 6 1 am perfectly satisfied,' 
and he gave me a recommendatory letter to the brethren in 
the West Indies, &c. • I had intended, as soon as confer- 
ence rose, to pursue my voyage to the West India Islands, 
to visit Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, and in the spring 
to return. What transpired in the conference during my 
absence, I know not ; but I was astonished, when the 
appointments were read, to hear my name mentioned to 
preside in the Peninsula." 

It would appear from this plain statement of Mr. Gar- 
rettson, that some alteration took place in the mind of the 
conference respecting his appointment to the superintend- 
ency of the British provinces in America, and that it was 
finally agreed among themselves that it was not expedient 
that he should go at this time. Probably knowing the 
value of his services in his Lord's vineyard, and being 
comparatively young as a church, they were unwilling to 
have him so entirely separated from them. However this 
may be, it is certain that it was a source of disappointment 
to himself, of some grief to Mr. Wesley ; and also contrary 
to the wishes of many of his brethren in Nova Scotia, as 
the following extracts of letters will show : — 

Mr. Black, in a letter dated Cornwallis, March 10th, 
1787, and presumed — for the inscription is torn off — to be 
directed to Dr. Coke, says : — " Brother Garrettson has 
been a great blessing to us in this province. The hearts 



1787.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



167 



of the people and preachers are more than ever united to 
him ; and we believe that were he to return to us he would 
be more extensively useful than heretofore ; for the ears of 
the people are more than ever opened to hear his message. 
He is better acquainted with the peculiar dispositions of 
the people than any one else, and therefore would be most 
likely to do them good. Thinking it to be his duty to 
attend the conference in the United States, we fear, when 
he finds so many urgent calls for help in that extensive 
country, that he will be tempted to forget us in this dark 
corner of the world. At the same time we cannot but 
think it to be his duty to return. We are truly sorry that he 
refused the superintendency,* but hope when he sees you 
he may receive that honour. These lines are to request 
you to use your influence in persuading him to do so." 

In a letter to Mr. Garrettson himself, dated at Sheiburne> 
June 4th, 1788, Mr. Black thus expresses himself : — " I 
have heard nothing from you these six months. We have 
been expecting you a long time, but in vain. Do, my 
dear brother, make all the speed you can. Let none per- 
suade you to the contrary. Do, my dear brother, come 
away directly." In another of June 30, 1788, he thus 
earnestly addresses Mr. Garrettson : — " O my dear bro- 
ther, do come away as soon as possible. The hearts of 
the people are knit to you in a peculiar manner, and I 
believe you would be more useful than ever ; and you 
know your labours were before blessed to many precious 
souls. Come away ! come away, my dear brother, come 
away ! O do not let any persuade you to stay. You 
know you have Bishop Asbury's consent to come: besides, 
the people are ready to think you are forgetful of your 
words, as they expected you long since. "f Once more, 

* This must have reference to his appointment to that office by Mr. 
Wesley, as at the date of this letter Mr. Garrettson had not been elect- 
ed by the conference. 

t Perhaps these expressions were founded on a letter which Mr. Gar- 
rettson had written some time previously to Mr. Baxter, of Antigua, of 
which the following is an extract :— 

" Maryland, Sept 10, 1787. 
" My Very Dear Brother, — I have been earnestly solicited by Dr. 
Coke and others to become a member of the British conference in 
British America. I expect to meet Mr. Asbury in a few weeks, and 
know not but I shall be with you late in the fall. I want to act in that 



168 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1787, 



under date of August 14, of the same year, Mr. Black 
says, u ! my dear brother, do make haste and come away 
to Nova Scotia. The friends long to see you, and our 
circumstances call for you. Come once more and help us." 

Mr. James Mann, another preacher who was travelling 
in Nova Scotia at this time, under date of Feb. 2, 1788, 
after detailing some of the embarrassments under which 
they laboured, says to Mr. Garrettson, " O brother ! pray 
for us. Heaven bless and prosper you in the vineyard of 
the Lord. I long to see you, and we have been looking 
for you, and hope we shall not be disappointed of your 
coming in the spring." 

Mr. Alexander Anderson writes to Mr. Garrettson, 
under date of June 17, 1788, thus : — " We have ardently 
longed for your return to this province ; and have expected 
you for some time past. We trust, however, that the 
charge you have received in the United States is for the 
glory of God and the good of souls." 

Surely no testimonies could be more honourable, or 
invitations more pressing. The idea, however, was finally 
abandoned by Mr. Garrettson of returning to Nova Scotia, 
or of accepting the superintendence of the work in the 
British provinces, for which he assigns the following rea- 
sons : — 1. "I was not acquainted with all the preachers, 
especially with those who were lately from England. 2. I 
felt unqualified for the charge. 3. It was not clear that I 
had a call to leave the United States." Of whatever use 
he might have been to the people in that country, subse- 
quent events have justified the belief that his labours were 
both highly prized and eminently useful in the United 
States ; and the whole tenor of his life proves that he 
strove to move in the order of divine Providence. 

Having thus relinquished the thought of returning to 
Nova Scotia, and having received his appointment to 
preside in the Peninsula as above stated, he entered upon 
his work with his accustomed diligence, though not without 

sphere in which I shall the most glorify my dear Lord. The cause of 
God lies near my heart : though my connections here are very near to me, 
yet at the call of my God I could cheerfully leave them. 

" I expected to be in Halifax before this, but there was none to take 
charge of the work in this quarter, so that necessity called me to stay. 
I fear lest our societies should decline in that country. The work is 
very great in the States." 



1787.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



169 



some pressure of spirit, as he had reason to suspect that 
some unfriendliness had been manifested toward him, 
though he knew not by whom. To Dr. Coke he felt a 
strong attachment, and the sincerest affection ; and says 
that they "mingled their tears together at this conference." 

Perhaps no place on the continent could have been 
more agreeable to him as the field of his labour than the 
Peninsula. It was here that he had spent the first days 
of his ministry, where the Lord had given him signal dis- 
plays of his approbation, and where he had suffered beating 
and imprisonment for the cause of his adorable Master. 
The effect of his former labours, however, was now most 
visible. The storm of human passion was hushed to 
silence — tranquillity reigned — and he now felt himself in 
more danger from the caresses of his friends than he before 
had done from the peltings of his enemies. Being now 
among his old friends, many of whom were his spiritual 
children, the ardour of his soul burst forth, as it were 
anew, and he found himself, in some sense, unexpectedly 
in the midst of every thing calculated to make life agree- 
able. He continued in this part of the country about 
twelve months, during which time he visited every circuit, 
and almost every congregation, and was greatly refreshed 
and strengthened in his work. Multitudes flocked to hear 
the word, some excited from curiosity to see the man of 
whom so much had been said in former days, some from 
a desire to " learn the way of the Lord more perfectly,' 5 
and numbers more to hear again from the lips of this 
flaming messenger of Christ those precious truths which 
they had found to be " the power of God to their salvation." 
So great, indeed, was the attention given to the " words of 
this life," that Mr. Garrettson observes, "that it seemed 
as if they would all become Methodists." 

Though this was the general aspect of affairs in this 
favoured region of country, there were some exceptions. 
In Dorchester county, which he visited on the third of 
June, he was glad to meet a large congregation of attentive 
hearers, to whom he preached under the shade of a grove, 
as the house could not contain so numerous an audience. 
On this occasion he observes, that some time since there 
was a great work of God on this neck of land, but now it 
seems the work is quite stationary, if not on the decline 

8 



170 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOtf. [1787. 



As a reason for this he remarks that " those preachers 
whose labours had been particularly blessed in this revival 
were lively and powerful in their ministrations, so that 
some thought there was much of what is called wild fire 
among the people. Indeed the cries of the distressed 
were frequently so loud, that the voice of the preacher 
was drowned. I was informed that these people had been 
visited bv some who had but little fellowship for what they 
called notsy meetings, in consequence of which the work 
began to decline. Extremes are always dangerous; and 
happy the man who knows how to keep in the golden mean. 
I am never offended in hearing convinced sinners cry aloud 
for mercy ; neither do I doubt but that the children of God 
are so happy at times, that they are constrained to shout 
the praises of God." 

To distinguish between the mere excitement of human 
passions, and the operations of the Spirit of God, is highly 
important, though sometimes difficult, to the promotion of 
the work of grace. When the Spirit of God operates upon 
the human heart, the passions are less or more excited, 
either to sorrow or joy, according' to the moral state of the 
heart. To suppose, therefore, a work of grace without 
the excitement of the human passions, is as great an 
absurdity as it would be to expect a man to breathe with- 
out any movement of the lungs, the organs of respiration. 
That the passions may be under strong excitement where 
there is no genuine work of the Holy Spirit, forms no 
valid objection to this position. In the first case, the 
"fruits of the Spirit" follow ; in the latter, not; and " by 
their fruits ye shall know them." 

He continued in the Peninsula until May, 1788, during 
which time a day seldom passed but that he preached at 
least once, and sometimes twice or three times with great 
freedom. Though there was not so large an increase to 
the societies as in former days when he laboured there, 
many were edified in the church, in the several counties 
on the eastern shore of Maryland, through all of which he 
travelled during the year. 



1788J LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



171 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Having completed his labours in the Peninsula, and 
being very solicitous to visit the New-England states, 
where the Methodists had made yet but a feeble impres- 
sion, by the request and approbation of Bishop Asbury, 
Mr. Garrettson left this scene of his successful toil in 
May, 1788, and came to the north, having Boston parti- 
cularly in his view. Arriving at New- York, the stationed 
preacher, Mr. Hickson, being at the point of death, and 
Mr. Dickins, the other preacher, in ill health, he was 
solicited by the people to remain with them, and supply 
the pulpits. Believing the call to be urgent, he complied 
with their request, and continued in the city except some 
occasional excursions on Long Island and the New Ro- 
chelle circuits, until the ensuing conference. Having 
received several invitations from a variety of places, 
backed by similar ones directed to the conference, Mr. 
Garrettson relinquished the idea of visiting Boston for the 
present, and took charge of the northern district of country 
bordering on the Hudson River. 

It seems that since the year 1785, in consequence of 
there being but few preachers ordained to the office of 
elder, a number of deacons and preachers were placed 
under the special oversight of some one of the elders, that 
the people might be the better supplied with the ordinances 
of the gospel. These elders were instructed to travel at 
large through the bounds of their respective districts ; hold 
quarterly meetings ; preach, and administer the ordinances ; 
assist and direct the preachers under their care in their 
work. This is the origin among us of presiding elders, 
though they were not designated by that name in the 
minutes of conference until the year 1797. Mr. Garrettson 
had been appointed to this charge on the Peninsula, and 
indeed he had exercised a similar oversight while in Nova 
Scotia, as well as during part of his labours before he 
went to that country. To this office he was more espe- 
cially appointed at this conference, with a view to open 
new circuits, for which he seems to have been peculiarly 
qualified, and in which he was remarkably successful. 

He observes that, as it had pleased the Lord to thrust 
out a number of young men in the New- York conference, 



172 



LIFE OF RET. F. GARRETTSON, 



[1788. 



Bishop Asbury, our venerable father in the gospe! 7 
H requested me to take charge of them, and do the best 
I could. I was very uneasy in my mind, being unac- 
quainted with the country, an entire stranger to its inhabit- 
ants, there being no Methodist societies farther north than 
Westchester : but I gave myself to earnest prayer for di- 
rection. I knew that the Lord was with me. In the night 
season, in a dream 5 it seemed as if the whole country up 
the North River, as far as Lake Champlain, east and west, 
was open to my view. 

" After the conference adjourned, I requested the young 
men to meet me. Light seemed so reflected on my path 
that I gave them directions where to begin, and which 
way to form their circuits. I also appointed the time for 
each quarterly meeting, requested them to take up a col- 
lection in every place where they preached, and told them 
that I should go up the North River to the extreme parts 
of the work, visiting the towns and cities on the way. and 
in my return I should visit them all, and hold their quar- 
terly meetings. I had no doubt but that the Lord would 
do w r onders, for the young men were pious, zealous, and 
laborious." 

Having thus laid down the plan for their work, he set 
out for the north on his intended tour. A great portion 
of the country through which he was appointed to labour, 
especially the northern part of New-York state, and Ver- 
mont, was in a very barren state as it respects religion. 
Some scattering congregations, consisting of Lutherans, 
and Dutch Reformed, and some others, were established 
along the eastern and western sides of the Hudson ; but 
even in these the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel 
were but feebly supported, and rarely made the subject of 
experience. The settlements on the west side of the 
river, at a small distance from its margin, were quite new, 
the roads bad, and accommodations for preachers very 
poor. The same may be said of all the country north of 
Lansingburg. In respect to that portion of New-England 
which was included in the district of country allotted to 
Mr. Garrettson as the scene of his present labours, though 
it was regularly divided into parishes, each of which gene- 
rally had a settled pastor, yet experimental religion was at 
a low ebb. The theological tenets, also, chiefly inculcated 



1788.3 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



173 



in this country were diametrically opposed to some points 
of doctrine promulgated by the Methodists. The former 
embraced all the peculiarities of the Calvinistic system, 
while the latter embraced those of the Arminian. On 
this account I suppose that in no place did the Methodist 
preachers meet with more decided opponents, or more 
forward disputants, than in New-England. Though the 
preachers laboured principally to inculcate experimental 
and practical godliness, as being the most essential to 
man's happiness and salvation, yet to promote this object 
the most effectually, they found it necessary frequently to 
bring before their hearers those peculiarities of their theo- 
logical system by which it was distinguished from Cal- 
vinism. This gave offence to the clergy who tenaciously 
held to the latter, and provoked them to controversy. 
From them a disputatious spirit descended to their hearers, 
many of whom considered themselves fully competent to 
defend those abstruse points of divinity, and thus mingled 
their ignorance with a love of controversy, often involving 
themselves in a labyrinth of intricate reasonings which 
they could neither understand themselves, nor explain to 
others, much less defend against the plain declarations of 
inspired Scripture. These circumstances often obliged 
the Methodist preachers, after delivering their discourses., 
to encounter a spirit of opposition as irksome to an ingenue 
ous mind, as it is unprofitable to a hardened heart. Fre- 
quently, however, the pointed question, " Have you been 
converted to God?" put by one of these flaming messengers 
of God, would silence debate, and produce a conviction, 
at least in the minds of some of the hearers, of the supe- 
rior advantage of experimental over a merely theoretical 
knowledge of divine things. 

This was the general state of the country, and of the 
people where Mr. Garrettson was appointed at this time 
to labour. He entered, however, upon his task with the 
same ardour of soul, and applied himself to the work with 
the same indefatigable and untiring zeal by which he had 
before been distinguished. Passing up the country on the 
east side of the Hudson, through New-Rochelle, North 
Castle, Bedford, Peekskill, in all of which places he stopped 
to administer the word of life, he arrived at Rhinebeck, 
where he lodged with Thomas Tillotson, Estj., and the 



174 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1788. 



next day preached in a barn, on, "We preach Christ Jesus, 
unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks 
foolishness." Before he left the place he preached several 
sermons, and the number of hearers continually increased. 
He was generally received in this, as well as other places, 
as a commissioned messenger of God, and " one said he 
need not change his appearance to be received as an 
angel." 

After having passed through the northern part of his dis- 
trict, he returned and found that the Lord had abundantly 
blessed the labours of the preachers in almost every place. 
" Many houses," said he, " and hands, and hearts were 
opened ; and before the commencement of the winter, we 
had several large circuits formed ; and the most of the 
preachers were comfortably situated ; sinners in a variety 
of places began to inquire what they should do to be saved. 

" Satan and his children were much alarmed, and began 
on every hand to threaten us. Some said, ' They are good 
men ;' others said, ' Nay, they are deceivers of the people. 5 
A stranger from Vermont, on his way down the country, 
informed the people that we were spread all through the 
country through which he came. This sudden spread of 
our preachers caused some person to say, ' I know not 
from whence they all come, unless from the clouds.' 
Others said, ' The king of England hath sent them to dis- 
affect the people ; and they did not doubt but they would 
bring on another war :' while others gave it as their opinion 
that we were the false prophets spoken of in Scripture, who 
should come in the last days, and deceive, if it were possi- 
ble, the very elect. Among others, the ministers of the 
different denominations were alarmed, fearing lest we 
should break up their congregations ; and frequently com- 
ing to hear, some of them openly opposed, declaring pub- 
licly that the doctrine was false. The power of the Lord 
attended the word, and a great reformation was seen 
among the people ; and many were enabled to speak freely 
and feelingly of what God had done for their souls. My 
custom- was to go around the district every three months, 
and then return to New-York ; where I commonly stayed 
about two weeks. In going once around I usually travelled 
about a thousand miles, and preached upward of a hun- 
dred sermons." 



1789.1 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



175 



During the above tour, lie informs us of his being fre- 
quently occupied, when not engaged in travelling and 
preaching, in writing. It seems that Mr. Wesley, having 
heard much of Mr. Garrettson's experience, activity, and 
success in his Lord's work, had been very desirous of 
receiving a written account of these things from himself. 
After considerable hesitancy, he concluded to gratify the 
wishes of Mr. Wesley in this respect, and accordingly set 
himself to transcribing such parts of his journal as he 
thought would be most beneficial to give to the public. 
Fearing, however, that he should not live to receive it 
unless sent immediately, and that Mr. Garrettson was 
unnecessarily scrupulous on this subject, Mr. Wesley 
addressed to him the following letter :— 

FROM MR. WESLEY TO MR. GARRETTSON. 

" London, Jan. 24, 1789 

" My Dear Brother, — It signifies but little where we 
are, so we are but fully employed for our good Master. 
W T hether you went, therefore, to the east, it is all one, so 
you were labouring to promote his work. You are follow- 
ing the order of his providence wherever it appeared, as a 
holy man strongly expressed it, in a kind of holy disordered 
order. But there is one expression that occurs twice or 
thrice in yours, which gives me some concern : your speak 
of finding freedom to do this or that. This is a word much 
liable to be abused. If I have plain Scripture or plain 
reason for doing a thing, well. These are my rules, and 
my only rules. I regard not whether I had freedom or no. 
This is an unscriptural expression, and a very fallacious 
rule. I wish to be in every point, great and small, a 
Scriptural, rational Christian. 

" In one instance, formerly, you promised to send me 
your journal. Will you break your word, because you do 
not find freedom to keep it ! Is not this enthusiasm ? O 
be not of this way of thinking. You know not whither it 
may lead you. You are called to square your useful life 
below by reason and by grace. But whatever you do with 
regard to me, you must do quiekly, or you will no more in 
this world. 

64 Your affectionate friend and brother, 

"J. Wesley," 



176 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



F1789, 



The journal was sent, but in consequence of the loss 
of the ship in which it was despatched, it never arrived* 
Of this circumstance Mr. Garrettson was not apprized 
until the following letters from Mr. Wesley gave him the 
information : — 

Chester, July 15, 1789. 

" My Dear Brother,— You are entirely in the right, 
There can be no manner of doubt that it was the enemy 
of souls that hindered your sending me your experience. 
Many parts of both your inward and outward experience 
ought by no means to be suppressed. But if you are mind- 
ed to send anything to me, you have no time to lose. 
Whatever you do for me you must do quickly, lest death 
have quicker wings than love. A great man observes thai 
there is a threefold leading of the Spirit : some he leads 
by giving them on every occasion apposite texts of Scrip- 
ture ; some by suggesting reasons for every step they take, 
(the way by which he chiefly leads me,) and some by im- 
pressiojis ; but he judges the last to be the least desirable 
way, as it is often impossible to distinguish dark impres- 
sions from divine, or even diabolical. 

" I hope you will not long delay to write more particu- 
larly to your affectionate friend and brother, 

"J. Wesley." 

FROM MR. WESLEY TO MR. GARRETTSOX. 

"London, Feb. 3, 1790. 

" My Dear Brother, — Two or three weeks ago I had 
the pleasure of a letter from you, dated August 23, 1789, 
giving me a comfortable account of the swift and extensive 
progress of the work of God in America. You likewise 
informed me that you had written an account of your life, 
and directed it should be sent to me ; and 1 have been 
expecting it, from day to day ever since, but have now 
almost given over my expectation ; for, unless it comes 
soon it will hardly overtake me in the present world. You 
see time has shaken me by the hand, and death is not far 
behind. W r hile we live let us work our Lord's work be- 
times, and in his time he will give us our full reward. 
" I am your affectionate friend and brother, 

" J. Wesley." 



1789.1 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



177 



While Mr. Garrettson was finishing a letter in which he 
designed to enclose another copy of his journal, the public 
prints announced to him the death of that great man of 
God, the Rev. John Wesley. Being thus disappointed of 
gratifying the desires of his venerable friend, Mr. Garrett- 
son concluded to print the journal, somewhat enlarged, in 
America. It was republished in Europe, both in the Eng- 
lish and French languages, and has no doubt proved a 
blessing to very many souls. 

June 9, 1789, Mr. Garrettson set off on another tour to 
the north. According to his usual custom, as he passed 
through the towns, he stopped and preached to the people, 
and generally found much attention to the word. On 
Sunday, the 14th, he preached in the town of Bedford, and 
formed a society. Though the people in this place had 
been educated in the Calvinistic faith, many of them 
became convinced of its errors, and were glad to hear a 
system of doctrines exhibited more consistent with the 
divine perfections, and better adapted to the condition of 
man. Both at the Stony-street church on the morning of 
the 16th, and at the English church in the evening at 
Peekskill, he found much freedom in preaching the word 
of truth; and at General Van Cortlandt's, where he lodged 
for the night, he found an agreeable and an affectionate 
family. 

After passing through the highlands, and preaching at 
Mr. Jackson's, where he found a people apparently strug- 
gling after the liberty of God's children, he paid a visit to 
Mr. Cook, an exemplary and zealous preacher, whom he 
found near death, but whose soul was happy in the enjoy- 
ment of his God. He died in peace soon after. He had 
been fifteen years in the work of the ministry, was a son of 
affliction, naturally subject to great dejection of spirits, too 
modest to complain, and in the midst of his sufferings 
evinced by his patient submission to the allotments of 
Providence his constant faith in God. "The last words I 
heard him utter," says Mr. Garettson, " were, £ I feel my- 
self an unprofitable servant ; but Jesus is precious to my 
soul. I am now reminded of what I have often told the 
people, in my preaching, of the happiness of dying saints. 
I now see angels around my bed, waiting to convey my 
happy soul to heaven.' " At Dr. Bartlett's he met Bishop 

8* 



178 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1789. 



Asbury, in company with one of the preachers, with whom 
he took sweet counsel, heard him preach, and then passed 
on to Rhinebeck, where he preached, and found a few 
whose hearts the Lord had touched, but felt somewhat 
distressed on account of the indifference manifested by 
most of the people to the things of eternity. Perhaps he 
little thought at that time that this place was to become 
his future residence, connected with a partner in life so 
admirably qualified to participate in his joys and sorrows. 
From Rhinebeck he went to Hudson, and thence to Albany, 
(visiting the intermediate places,) where he preached in the 
assembly room, but found much opposition among the 
citizens generally to the truths he delivered. A few, how- 
ever, bowed a willing obedience to the word, and a small 
society seemed to be in a flourishing state. In Schenec- 
tady also he found a strong current of prejudice setting in 
against his endeavours to do good, though he was permitted 
to preach in the English church. The* good seed, however, 
sown in these places, did not entirely " fall by the wayside," 
as some are yet living who received their first religious 
impressions under Mr. Garrettson's preaching, and how 
many will be found " in that day," who can tell ? 

The following conversation which Mr. Garrettson relates 
shows the pernicious influence which an erroneous doctrine 
has over the hearts and practices of some people. " Mon- 
day, July 6," he says, " I set out on a journey to the north, 
and on my way I overtook an old gentleman, who said, 
4 1 expect you are a minister. O ! it is a blessed work if 
you are called to it. I am a follower of Christ, and know 
my peace made with God.' How, said I, do you know 
that? 'By the spirit which he has given me.' Do you, 
said I, know that your sins are forgiven ? 6 O yes.' Do you, 
said I, live in sin ? * Yes, we are all sinners.' Pray, said 
I, how can you know your sins forgiven, if you live in sin ? 
4 I have the imputed righteousness of Christ, and it is no 
more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.' Don't you, 
said I, swear sometimes ? ' Swear, yes ; and have been 
drunk too many times, since I was made a new creature, 
but my comfort is, I cannot fall.' What, said I, would 
become of your soul if you were to die drunk ? ' Die drunk ! 
what would you think to see the sun fall ? was it ever 
known that a saint died drunk ? Impossible !' Well, said 



1789.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SON. 



179 



I, according to your doctrine, if you always keep yourself 
intoxicated with strong liquor, you will never die. Sin 
made man mortal ; but I cannot find from Scripture that 
drunkenness makes him immortal. ' Sir,' said he, ' I per- 
ceive you are a rank Arminian, and I would not go the 
length of my foot to hear you preach, for you are an ac- 
cuser of the brethren ; and hold out a very uncomfortable 
doctrine to God's dear children.' Pray, said I, to what 
denomination do you profess to belong ? ' I am an old 
Englishman, and a convert of Mr. Whitefield's, and a New 
Light by profession, from the sole of my foot to the crown 
of my head.' After I endeavoured to set his danger before 
him, I wished him well ; and riding thirty miles I found 
great liberty to preach my dear Lord's gospel, from the 
language of the jailer, 'What shall I do to be saved ?"' 

Passing through the country, and preaching to attentive 
congregations, he came to Ashgrove, where he found a 
number of kind friends, members of society, who had erect- 
ed a house of worsliip. He observes that when he first 
visited that place, he found some Methodist emigrants from 
Ireland, most of whom, however, had become quite luke- 
warm in religion, but who were reanimated by his preach- 
ing, and quite a number of others were awakened to a 
sense of the importance of religion. On this circuit Mr. 
Darius Dunham had been instrumental in the conversion 
of a number of souls, so that on the present visit Mr. Gar- 
rettson found a thriving society. 

Perhaps the following sketch of the rise of the society 
in Ashgrove may not be uninteresting to the reader. It is 
taken chiefly from a communication from the Rev. D. 
Brayton, published in the Methodist Magazine for 1827. 
Before the revolutionary war, a Mr. Ashton emigrated from 
Ireland to this place, who, in conjunction with Mr. Philip 
Embury — the same Embury who had been instrumental 
in raising the society in New- York — formed a society at 
Ashgrove. It seems that after the arrival of the regular 
preachers from England, Mr. Embury, not finding his ser- 
vices needed in New-York, in company with some others 
of the society, removed to this place. They had no help 
until the arrival of Mr. John Baker, also an Irish emigrant, 
in the year 1786. After his arrival, he made several efforts 
to obtain the assistance of some travelling preacher, but 



180 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1789. 



was not successful, on account of the paucity of their num- 
ber, until 1788, when, in answer to a petition sent to the 
conference, Mr. Lemuel Smith was sent to take charge of 
the society, under the direction of Mr. Garrettson. He 
brought the society into regular order, and extended his 
labours with effect into other places. He was succeeded 
by Mr. Dunham, before mentioned. This society may be 
considered as the centre of Methodism in this northern 
part of the country. 

After holding a quarterly meeting at Ashgrove, which 
was attended with signal displays of the power of God, 
Mr. Garrettson returned to Albany, where he met the little 
society. The next day he rode to Dr. H.'s. His horse 
being so lame as not to be able to carry him, he set off on 
foot, and after travelling nearly twenty miles, he came to 
Spencertown, where he preached with much satisfaction. 
Notwithstanding much opposition had been made here 
against the work of God, he found it in a prosperous state. 
In Sheffield, also, he found some souls brought to the 
knowledge of the truth. In Canaan he was permitted to 
preach in the Presbyterian meeting house, and found the 
minister and people of a very catholic spirit, and willing to 
promote the cause in which he was engaged. Here, also, 
he found the work of God prospering under the labours of 
Messrs. Bloodgood, and Wigton. Though the people in 
these parts, he says, had been much troubled with Anti- 
nomianism, he found the gloomy doctrine receding before 
the rising beams of the sun of truth. 

July 23d, he came to the town of Sharon, in Connecticut, 
where he found a number of precious souls, to whom he 
preached in the open air, there being so many assembled 
that no house could accommodate them. After remarking 
that he believed the Lord had a work to do in this place, 
he records the following incidents : — 

" i was sweetly drawn out in writing till about two 
o'clock. As the man of the house was gone out early in 
the morning, 1 went into the meadow to catch my horse. 
He was tied with a long rope to feed in the edge of the 
meadow, and as I had hold of the rope gathering him to 
me, lie gave a sudden jerk, and by some means the rope 
got around my arms and body so that in less than a half a 
minute I was thrown, and entirely bereft of my senses. 



1789.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



181 



How long I lay in this situation, I know not ; for no person 
was near me. I knew not who I was, nor where I was. 
After lying for a considerable time, in as much pain as if I 
had been on a rack or wheel, I suppose rolling from side 
to side, I made an attempt to lay my head on my hat for a 
pillow, and saw the two first letters of my name in my hat, 
and immediately I knew myself, and cried out, Is this poor 
Garrett son 1 Where is he, and what is the matter ? I re- 
ceived a small degree of knowledge, and arose from the 
earth, walked to the house, and was laid upon a bed. 
Providentially a skilful surgeon was at hand, who came to 
me and found my right shoulder dislocated,* and my left 
wrist, thumb, and shoulder, and several fingers, much 
strained, my body severely bruised, and several contusions 
on my head. Several assisted, and my shoulder was re- 
placed, blood was let, and my other wounds bound up. 
Immediately after I was bled I recovered my senses as 
perfectly as ever, and was enabled to look up by faith to my 
beloved Saviour, and received a strong confidence in him. 
Many of the inhabitants of the town came in to see me, 
and my soul was so happy that I was constrained with 
tears to exhort all that came near. I think I never had so 
strong a witness of perfect love. I was enabled to bless 
God for the affliction, and would not have had it otherwise. 
I do believe it was rendered a blessing to the place. I 
desired a person to borrow a carriage ; he did, and carried 
me as far as Oblong, and next day to Dover, where I re- 
ceived strength to preach to a large congregation in the 
church, to administer the sacrament to about twenty, and 
it was a powerful time. The two following days I rode 
about forty miles across mountains almost impassable for 
a carriage, and suffered much pain ; but my mind was 
sweetly calm and happy. 

" Wednesday I rode to Mr. Braiday's, still accompanied 
by my kind friend, A. Lion, who took tender care of me, 
for I was not able to comb my head, to dress myself, or to 
get in or out of the carriage without much pain, and yet 1 
was enabled to preach with strength and freedom." 

From thence he passed on through Newcastle, where he 
held a meeting and witnessed a great display of the power 

* From the effects of this accident he never fully recovered. 



182 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SON. 



[1789. 



of God ; but finding himself very feeble from his recent 
wounds he took a passage by water, and on Tuesday ar- 
rived safely at New- York, where he remained seven days to 
recruit his strength. The ardour of his soul in his Master's 
work would not permit him longer to remain in the city. 
Though still suffering from the effects of his recent bruises, 
he left New-York, in company with a friend, to attend 
some appointments on Long Island. On Tuesday even- 
ing he preached by candle light in Newtown, and the next 
day at the court house in the town of Hempstead. 

Long Island has become somewhat famous in the his- 
tory of our country, as being the theatre of much indivi- 
dual suffering in consequence of its having been occupied 
for a considerable time by the invading armies of Great 
Britain. But before this event, it was visited by some of 
the Wesleyan Methodist missionaries. Captain Webb, the 
efficient helper of Mr. Embury in New-York, as early as 
1768, passed over to Long Island, preached in Jamaica, 
Newtown, and some other places with considerable suc- 
cess, many souls being awakened and converted as seals 
to his ministry. The political troubles, however, which 
soon succeeded these incipient attempts at planting Me- 
thodism in this place, checked its progress for a season, 
and the whole Island was almost entirely abandoned dur- 
ing the war by ministers of all denominations. On the 
return of peace, in 1783, the way was opened for spread- 
ing the gospel of the grace of God among the people. The 
Rev. Philip Cox was the first regular preacher stationed 
on Long Island. This was in 1784. He found many who 
had not forgotten the preaching of Captain Webb. He 
was succeeded in 1785 by the Rev. Ezekiel Cooper, who 
preached extensively on the Island. Many to this day 
remember his zealous efforts with gratitude. In 1786 Mr. 
Cooper was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Ware. Great 
attention to the things of religion was excited by these 
men of God. Mr. Ware was followed by the Rev. Messrs. 
Moriarty and Cloud, whose labours were greatly owned of 
God. In 1789, the time Mr. Garrettson visited the Island, 
the Rev. Messrs. Phoebus and John Lee were stationed 
there. At this time there were two hundred and twenty- 
four members in the church in the several societies which 



1789.3 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



183 



had been formed.* Mr. Garrettson visited most of the 
principal places in the Island where the Methodist preach- 

* The following account, so illustrative of the particular Care which 
God exercises over his people, respecting the introduction of Method- 
ism into the town of Southold, is related on the best authority ; having 
been taken from the lips of those who were witnesses of the facts. 

In 1794 Methodism was brought into Southold, and the manner of 
its introduction is worthy to be recorded, as it will show the efficacy 
of prayer and the peculiar agency of the Holy Spirit in the spread of 
the gospel. A Mrs. Moore, who had been converted to God through 
the instrumentality of the Methodists, removed to this place ; and al- 
though there were churches and ministers not very remote from it, 
yet no very efficient means had been used to build up the cause of 
God, or to arrest the spread of iniquity. Living at too great a dis- 
tance from that ministry which had been the means of her conversion, 
and finding in her village two females like minded with herself, they 
agreed to meet together every Monday evening, to pray that God 
would send such a minister among them as would feed their own 
souls, and be made the means of awakening the wicked inhabitants 
of the place. They met accordingly two evenings at the house of 
Mr. P. Vail, who at that time was not a member of any church, but 
so far favourable as to gratify his wife in bringing her female friends 
to his house for prayer meeting. On the third night of their meeting, 
Mr. V., returning home weary from the business of the day, had retired 
about the time they usually met, which rendered it inconvenient to hold 
it that evening. This circumstance almost discouraged them, fearing 
that it arose from his dislike to the exercises, and that they should be 
deprived of this means of grace. However, they agreed to return home, 
and remember individually before God the great object for which they 
had met together. During the exercises of this evening they felt an 
unusual spirit of prayer ; Sister Moore in particular* who continued until 
near midnight : her whole soul was drawn out to the Lord, nor could 
she be denied : the wickedness of the place and the want of an engaged 
ministry were continually before her. At the close of this struggle she 
felt an assurance that God had heard them, attended with these words, 
" I have heard their cry, and I am come down to deliver them ;" and so 
strong was~ this conviction that she began to praise God for what she 
knew he would do. 

At this very time Wilson Lee, a Methodist minister, was in New- 
London, and had his trunk on board a vessel to go to his appointment 
in New- York. Waiting for a passage over night, the wind being 
contrary, he felt an unusual struggle for the salvation of souls, attend- 
ed with a constant impression to cross the sound to Long Island. 
Never having been there, and having his work in another direction, 
he endeavoured for some time to dismiss it, but perceiving that it still 
followed him, resolved, if his way were opened, to proceed. It should 
be observed that his peculiar exercises in New-London were on the 
same night, and almost at the same hour, in which these pious females 
were engaged in prayer on Long Island. 

Next morning, on going to the wharf, he found a sloop ready to sail 



184 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1789. 



ers could gain access, but says that though he found some 
precious souls who were breathing after God, there was a 
lamentable spirit of indifference to the things of religion 
manifested bv most of the people, and a determined oppo- 
sition evinced by others. 

Anions other things which have tended to retard the 
progress of Methodism on this Island, is the prevalence 
of Quakerism as held and propagated "by Elias Hicks. 
Whether his peculiar principles were much developed at 
the time of which we are now speaking, I cannot say : hut 
as he was one of the oldest ministers of that society, and 
as he was raised up on Long Island, and devoted much 
of his time to the propagation of his principles, it is highly 
probable that the minds of the people, over which he may 
have had influence, have been for a long time tinctured, 
I might perhaps say poisoned, with his peculiar notions. 
It is not from hearsay that I assert that he undervalued the 
sacred Scriptures, set aside the proper Deity and atone- 
ment of Christ, and openly denounced all other ministers 
as hirelings, their modes of worship as the offspring of 
superstition, Bible, Missionary, and other benevolent 
societies as mischievous in their design and tendency. 
These prejudices, to be sure, were mingled with an appa- 
rent spirit of piety, and a commendable zeal for the opera- 
tion and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, thereby facilitating 
the progress of his pernicious errors.* At an early period 

for Southold, and believing his call now to be from the Lord, imme- 
diately went on board. Making inquiry on his landing if there were 
any praying; people in the place, he was immediately directed to the 
house of Mrs. Moore, who seeing him coming, and knowing a Method- 
ist minister from his appearance, she. without a personal acquaintance 
or previous introduction, came out to the door, and said, u Thou bless- 
ed of the Lord, come in !" He then told her the end for which he came, 
and related the peculiar providence which had directed him on his 
way, and she, in turn, the circumstances of their prayer meeting, and 
the assurance they received that God had heard them. A congrega- 
tion was soon collected, and he who had felt such a desire for the 
salvation of souls, found here a ready people to whom the word of the 
Lord was attended with power. Shortly afterward a class was formed, 
and from that period to this Methodism has continued in this place. 

* It is but justice to remark, that a great portion of the societies of 
this denomination denounce the peculiarities of Elias Hicks, and have 
made strenuous efforts to check the progress of his doctrines. These 
are now distinguished from him and his followers by being called the 
u Orthodox Friends." 



1789.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



185 



of the settlement of the Island, these people established 
societies ; and so far as their influence extended, they 
presented a powerful barrier to the progress of the distin- 
guishing doctrines preached by Mr. Garrettson and his 
associates. The east end and interior of the Island were 
settled principally by emigrants from New-England, most 
of whom had their minds strongly imbued with the pecu- 
liarities of the Calvinistic creed, and were of course averse 
to those points of Methodism which came in contact with 
unconditional election and reprobation. And perhaps 
there are no people to be found on our continent who 
manifest a stronger tenacity in adhering to the traditions 
of their fathers than the inhabitants of Long Island. To 
this rigid adherence to what they had early been taught, 
they in general, especially in the interior of the Island, 
join great simplicity of manners, an unostentatious show 
of piety, and great economy in their household affairs, 
together with a regular exterior deportment. These 
appear to have been, and are at the present day, the 
characteristic peculiarities of the inhabitants of Long 
Island. Some of these traits of character are undoubtedly 
favourable to the reception of the gospel, unless when 
accompanied with a pharisaical righteousness, while some 
of their tenets are no less unfavourable. The power of 
God, however, in many places, accompanied the delivery 
of the word by the Methodist preachers, and made it the 
instrument of salvation to the souls of sinners. 

After the third tour around this district, in which he 
found a gradual spread of the work of God, and an increase 
to the several societies which had been formed, Mr. Gar- 
rettson set off to attend " the council," as it was called. 
It seems that in consequence of the great increase of 
preachers, and their extending themselves over so large a 
tract of country, measures had been devised to supersede 
the necessity of their assembling all together in one place 
annually. It had been the practice of Mr. Wesley, from 
the time he commenced calling the preachers together in 
conference, to assemble them once a year in the same 
place. At the beginning of Methodism in this country, 
a similar plan was adopted ; but in consequence of the 
great extent of country over which the preachers spread 
themselves, it was soon found inconvenient for them all to 



186 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1789. 



convene annually at the same place. To remedy this 
inconvenience several conferences were held in the same 
year, but the acts of one conference were not considered 
binding unless they were sanctioned by them all ; and as 
this could not be generally expected, it was plainly seen 
that this method of doing things tended to the dissolution 
of the body. 

Such was the state of things when it was resolved to 
have a council. It was to consist of the bishops and 
presiding elders, provided that it should never consist of a 
less number than nine. The following members composed 
the first council, which met in Baltimore on the first day 
of December, 1789 : — 

Francis Asbury, bishop ; Philip Bruce, Freeborn Gar- 
rettson, Joseph Everitt, John Dickins, Nelson Reed, 
Richard Ivey, Reuben Ellis, Edward Morris, James 
O'Kelly, Lemuel Green, James O. Cromwell, eiders. 

It was soon perceived that this method of conducting 
the affairs of the church was very far from being satis- 
factory, and hence the council assembled only the second 
time. After attending this first council, Mr. Garrettson 
observes, " I was resolved, God being my helper, to be 
more than ever engaged in the blessed work of God, it 
being my earnest prayer that the flame in the north might 
equal what I had witnessed in the south. On my return, 
I felt something of it in Philadelphia ; and when I came to 
New- York, I preached with an enlargement of soul which 
I had never before experienced in that city. I believed 
that the brethren would have glorious times, and so it 
came to pass ; for in a few days after I left the city a 
most gracious work commenced first in a prayer meeting, 
extending itself to the congregation ; and I saw and felt 
something of the same flame in many places on the district, 
in my winter visitations." 

Soon after this Mr. Garrettson set off on a tour through 
some parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts on his way 
to Boston. In order to show the diligence and zeal with 
which he usually discharged his duty, and the manner in 
which he was received in this part of the country, the fol- 
lowing extracts from his journal are given : — 

" Having stayed a few days in the city, on Wednesday, 
June the 2d, accompanied by Harry, who is to travel with 



1790.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SOX. 



187 



me this summer, I rode as far as Mile's Square, and 
preached to more people than could get into the house. 
In the evening I rode to Brother M.'s, at East Chester, and 
felt myself not so much drawn out as I could have wished. 

" Thursday 3d, the appointment was in New Rochelle 
church, where I preached from, ' my dove, which art in 
the clefts of the rock,' &c. I had a degree of freedom 
while comparing the church to a dove ; but more while 
speaking of the rock and the secret places of the stairs ; 
and when I came to speak on the latter part of the text, 
' Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice ; for 
sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is comely,' I was 
much drawn out, and a small moving ran through the 
people. In the evening I retired to brother S.'s, and was 
very comfortable in a kind family, and, blessed be God, I 
felt my soul somewhat refreshed. 

" Friday 4th, we had a solemn meeting at the Plains. 
Though it was a wet day, many came to hear the word, and 
gave great attention. My mind is sweetly drawn to love 
the ways of the Lord. I found great freedom to describe 
the pure in heart. 

" Saturday 5th, we met in King-street : more people 
gathered than the house could contain, and I found great 
enlargement in speaking. Harry exhorted after me to the 
admiration of the people. When I came into the house I 
found a man extremely ill with the colic. I ordered him 
to drink a pint of cold water, and he was relieved in less 
than three minutes, I returned to brother C.'s, and was 
very comfortable. 

" On the Lord's day we met in North Castle church, 
where I was surrounded by a listening multitude while I 
explained, 1 A King shall reign in righteousness,' &c. I 
found great freedom to speak the word, and we had much 
of the divine presence. Again in the afternoon I was 
enabled to expatiate on Matt, xxii, 12, ' Friend, how 
earnest thou hither not having on a wedding garment V 
I think there were more people than I had ever seen 
together in this place, I suppose Bedford court house 
would not have contained half the people, so that I was 
obliged to stand under the trees. Many of the rougher 
kind of people attended, some of whom did not behave 
very orderly. It is not common to be threatened with 



188 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1790. 



stoning in this country : the children of the devil would 
threaten a long time before they would venture on such a 
work, for the laws are very strict, and the greater part of 
the people favour religion. In the evening I retired to 
brother L.'s, and I trust enjoyed the company of my 
blessed Master. 

"Monday 7th, preached at brother B.'s, in the manor, 
to a crowded audience, from ' All Scripture is given by 
inspiration of God,' &c. I had great liberty to point out 
the benefit of our glorious dispensation. Our dear Lord 
owned his blessed word, and my spirit did rejoice in God 
my Saviour. 

" Tuesday 8th, many more came together at brother 
H.'s than could crowd into the house: we had a joyful 
season ; my own spirit is filled with sweetness. The 
people of this circuit are amazingly fond of hearing Harry. 

" Wednesday 9th, I rode to Sing Sing, and had an 
attentive audience while I enforced, ' Now the just shall 
live by faith,' &c. I have not preached a sermon with 
more sweetness since I left New- York. In the afternoon, 
at General Van Courtlandt's, near Croton River, I had great 
comfort while declaring, ' It is God that justifieth, who is 
he that condemneth V 

" Thursday 10th, though a wet day, the church at — — - 
was well filled, and I had much pleasure in describing the 
walk and prosperity of the blessed man, Psalm i, 1, 2, 3, 
and in the afternoon the old English church was nearly 
filled. I showed that, ' He that is born of God doth not 
commit sin,' &e. Harry, though it was a heavy cross, 
exhorted afterward. I lodged at the old governor's, 
where I was comfortable with a kind family. The go- 
vernor was gone far to the west, to make a treaty with the 
Indians. 

" I highly approve of the conduct of our statesmen 
respecting the poor Indians. On the frontiers of other 
states they encroach on the Indians' property ; here they 
have made a large purchase from them, and it is a rare 
thing to hear of an Indian's killing a white person. 

"Friday 11th, I rode over the highlands, and at three 
o'clock preached to a large congregation among the moun- 
tains : in this place our gracious Lord has raised many 
from the dead. I felt my heart much alive among the peo- 



1790.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON* 



189 



pie while I explained St. John's advice to and account of 
the church of Philadelphia. 

" Sunday 13th, our horses gave us the slip, so that we 
had to send five miles after them, and just as I was deter- 
mining to set out on foot, the man brought them to the 
door. We got to the place in good time ; but the day- 
was very wet, and the house so very leaky, that we had a 
disagreeable time at Fishkill. In this place the Lord hath 
given us a few good souls, and I trust that we shall have 
a precious gathering. 

" Monday, early in the morning, we set out, and called 
on the son of the widow at whose house preaching was the 
day before : he was in deep distress of soul, and I trust it 
will not be long before he shall be set at liberty. In the 
afternoon I preached to a crowd of people from Ezekiel's 
vision of the dry bones, and I trust there was a shaking 
among the people, who came from almost all parts of Os- 
wego, some perhaps from curiosity to hear Harry. 

" Tuesday 15th, I had but a small congregation assem- 
bled in a barn at a new place among the Presbyterians : 
the next day I preached at Rhinebeck, and spent the day 
following comfortably w T ith my old friend, R. Sands, Esq. 

" Friday 18th, I advanced toward the Cold Spring, and 
preached at my good friend Rowe's, from, ' Loose him 
and let him go.' Spent an hour with Dr. Bartlett, and had 
a comfortable meeting at Mr. Lewis's. Jesus is precious 
to me ; his ways are delightful. 

" Saturday 19th, I rode to Mr. Herricks, where I preached 
in the afternoon. I had great freedom to preach from ' In 
hell he lifted up his eyes,' &c. Harry exhorted after me 
with much freedom. 

" June 20th. This day I was met by a Churchman, 
who desired me to come and pray with his family : I did 
so with freedom ; then rode on to Sharon, where I 
preached to about one thousand people under the trees, 
from, 6 O my dove, thou art in the clefts of the rock,' &c. 
I was much drawn out, and great attention was paid to the 
word. The devil strives very hard to hinder the spreading 
of the gospel in this town : but blessed be God, many 
are under awakenings, and I think the kingdom of Satan 
will be greatly shaken. 

" Monday 21st. This was a day of great trial to me, 



190 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1790. 



arising from a very plausible story told of one who I 
believe was entirely innocent of the charge. My heart 
was pained within me, but I could not convince those who 
were the accusers of his innocence. In the afternoon I 
was obliged to preach in the open air again for want of 
room in the house. 

" June 22d. This morning I called a few together and 
examined into that strange affair, and am convinced of the 
innocence of the accused. I rode about fifteen miles, 
and preached in the Presbyterian meeting house to some 
hundreds, from, 'If the righteous scarcely be saved, where 
shall the ungodly and sinner appear.' It is encouraging to 
see such hearers affected under the word. I am informed 
that when I preached in this meeting house last spring, 
Mr. G., who was one of my hearers, was very much 
touched, and a few weeks ago died a penitent. I have 
great hope for the people of this town. I had a comfort- 
able time at R , Esq., who has a friendship for us. 

" Wednesday 23d, I rode about twelve miles to Litch- 
field, and was surprised to find the doors of the Episcopal 
church open, and a large congregation waiting for me. I 
preached from, ' Enoch walked with God,' and I believe 
good was done. I left Harry to preach another sermon, 
and went on to the centre of the town ; the bell rang, and 
I preached to a few in the Presbyterian meeting house, 
and lodged with a kind Churchman. 

" I preached in the skirts of the town, where I was 

opposed by , who made a great disturbance. I told 

him the enemy had sent him to pick up the good seed ; 
turned my back on him, and went on my way, accompanied 
by brother W. and H., where I found another waiting com- 
pany, in another part of the town, to whom I declared, 
' Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.' In this 
town we have given the devil and the wicked much trouble ; 
we have a few good friends. 

" Friday 25th, we rode fourteen miles through the rain, 
many people gathered, and I found freedom to declare, 'If 
we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves:' several 
were in tears, and there was a shaking among the people. 
The squire and several other Calvinists came out to con- 
verse on the disputed points of unconditional election and 
reprobation, the freedom of the will, and the perseverance 



1790.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



191 



of the saints. I had to discourse with them until nearly 
midnight, and I believe some of them were much shaken, 
We have hard work to plant what they call Arminianism 
in this county : we stand in need of the wisdom of the 
serpent and the harmlessness of the dove. 

" Saturday 26th, I rode a few miles and preached to a 
company of people assembled in a barn: my text was, ' But 
deliver us from evil.' I had a considerable degree of free- 
dom in enforcing the necessity of being delivered from all 
sin ; some believed it and some did not ; among the rest 
one good old man, who came a considerable distance on 
foot, said the Lord is with us and I am satisfied. A few 
weeks ago he was a warm pleader for the unconditional 
decrees ; but now he sees differently. 

" Sunday 27th, I preached in Farmington to about three 
hundred people, and had great freedom in showing that 
Christ tasted death for every man, and that as the way was 
open, if they did not repent they would justly be damned. 
There are a few precious souls here who cleave to our 
doctrine and have united to our society. 

" 28th, we set out for Boston, rode fifteen miles, stop- 
ped at Hartford, and preached in the court house to five 
or six hundred people, who seemed to give great heed 
to the words which were spoken : while Harry gave an 
exhortation some rude people behaved very uncivilly. The 
two following days we travelled and arrived at Worcester 
about four o'clock, where I was kindly entertained by 
Mr. Chanler, but the people appeared to have a small 
share of religion : I went from one end of the town to the 
other and could get no one to open the court house and 
gather the people. I went to the house of the Rev. Mr. 

B . I was asked to take tea. I drew near, and 

inquired if it was not customary to ask a blessing ? No, 
said he, not over tea: I then drew back from the table : 
his countenance changed, and he said in a very short 
manner, 'You may ask a blessing over your dish.' Pinch- 
ing want might drive me to eat and drink in such a case. 
I had an hour's conversation with him. It is lamentable 
for masters in Israel to deny the power of religion. 

"Tuesday, July 1st, we rode through a very pleasant 
country ; I never saw more elegant buildings in a country 
place than those that surround Cambridge, and the college 



192 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1790. 



has an imposing appearance. I got into Boston about 
seven o'clock, after riding forty-eight miles. I boarded 
Harry at the master mason for the Africans, and I took 
my own lodgings with a private gentleman, who had been 
a Methodist in England, but has, I fear, fallen from the 
spirit of xMethodism. 

" Sunday 4th, I attended Church in the morning, and 
gave great uneasiness to the people with whom I lodged 
on account of my not communing. I never in my life saw 
such a set of communicants, dressed in the height of the 
mode, and with all the frippery of fashion — so much of 
the world in their manners and appearance that my mind 
was most easy to look on. In the afternoon I preached in 
a meeting house which had formerly belonged to Dr. 
Mather. Monday evening likewise in the same place. 
Tuesday I went from end to end of the town and visited 
several who were friendly, a few of whom were formerly 
Methodists, but I fear they are not such in practice. I 
engaged the use of the meeting house, and a place for a 
preacher to board, and on Wednesday set out for Provi- 
dence. I had rode but about thirty miles when I met 
brother Lee, and while we were sitting on our horses talk- 
ing, an old gentleman rode up and asked us to go to his 
house and preach that night : we went and had a comfort- 
able meeting, and I also preached the next morning : 
after dinner we parted ; brother Lee consented to go to 
Boston and make a trial there until I could send another 
preacher. I reached Providence about five o'clock ; the 
bell rang, and I had an opportunity of preaching in good 
old Mr. Snow's meeting house. 

" Friday 9th, I had a sweet time in retirement, and in 
the evening addressed a larger congregation that I had the 
night before. 

" Sunday 11th, with freedom I preached in the morning 
at six o'clock. I officiated all day for good Mr. Snow, and 
at six Harry preached in the meeting house to more than 
one thousand people. I appointed to preach the next morn- 
ing at five o'clock, and I suppose three hundred people 
attended to hear my last sermon. I had a sweet time in 
Providence. I have no doubt but the Lord begun a good 
work in many hearts. I left many in tears. I left town 
about nine o'clock, rode about thirty-live miles, and lodged 



1790.3 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SON. 



193 



at Colonel P *'s, whom I found to be a very kind man. 

and I trust the family were stirred up : the daughter 
seemed to be much affected. 

" Tuesday 13th, I rode forty-five miles to Hartford, and 
preached the next evening to as ill behaved an audience as 
I have ever seen in New-England. The people of this 
place, with a few exceptions, stem to be fast asleep in the 
arms of the wicked one. The following night I preached 
again, and some of what are called the gentry behaved so 
ill that I was under the necessity of breaking up the meet- 
ing and declining to preach by candle light. 

" Sunday 18th, I preached again in the state house, to 
a few who gave attention. I rode to Weathersfield and 
preached at eleven o^clock, and likewise at two o'clock, 
and then returned and preached at Hartford at five o'clock 
to about two hundred people. I am apprehensive from the 
state of religion in this place that the ministers do not 
enjoy the life and -power of religion; they seem to be 
so smoothed, over that they cannot with any degree of 
patience bear to hear of the carnal rnind^ er any mention, 
of hell. 

" Thursday, I preached with freedom at Farmington, 
and on Tuesday morning I gave an exhortation on the 
subject of baptism, and baptized fourteen adults and chil- 
dren, and we had a sweet time, and then rode to Litchfield 
and preached to a serious company. I have*no doubt that 
the Lord has begun a good work in this town. Brother 

W is a very acceptable preacher in this new circuit, 

and the Lord owns his labours. 

" I lodged a Mr. O 's, and had a long conversation 

with him and his brother, who related a very singular 
circumstance, which was as follows : — The brother (as 
they both informed me) was intended for a Presbyterian 
minister ; he had gone through his course of study, and as 
a probationer he had begun to preach, and I doubt not 
from what he informed me but that he was acquainted 
with inward religion. He fancied that if he was called 
to preach the Lord would endue him with a gift of miracles, 
and he concluded that he would preach no more until he 
obtained that gift. He began to fast, and after he had 
fasted eight or nine days, ministers, people, and physicians 
came around him, telling him that he would shortly be a 



194 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[179Q, 



dead man unless he took some nourishment— at another 
time they endeavoured to force him to eat. but to no pur- 
pose. He told me that he did not eat a mouthful of victuals 
during forty days, and only drank water and a few times a 
little small beer. He likewise told me that nothing went 
through his body for forty days. His brother, who I trust 
is a man who fears the Lord, professed to be an eye witness 
of the truth of this statement ; he was with him most of the 
time, and said that during the forty days he did as much 
work as he himself was able to do. who ate four or five- 
times a day. When we would come in from work, said 
he. he would take nothing but a little water or a little small 
beer, and then go to work again. From the tenth to the 
nineteenth day of his fast, he seemed somewhat feeble, but 
after that he grew strong and looked nearly as fresh and 
well as he ever did, and continued to labour hard during 
that time : after the forty days were ended, he ate as hearty 
as usual, and found no injury from it, though the physicians 
warned him that in so doing he risked his life. Before this 
he was much exercised about the doctrines peculiar to 
Calvinism, and had renounced them. When I saw him I 
found him a believer in the same system of free salvation 
which the Methodists hold out, and he has begun boldly 
to preach again. 

Saturday I rode as far as Cornwall, and preached at 
Squire Rogers's. I found that the Lord had begun a bless- 
ed work in this town when I preached here before, so I 
rode to Canaan, where I was comfortable. 

" Sunday 25th, I preached in Canaan to about five 
hundred people, from Matt, xxv, 14, 15, the parable of 
the talents. The Lord was with us : the work in this 
place is moving on. I have circulated a subscription for 
the building of a church here. Brother Bloodgood was 
with me : as it was too warm in the house I preached in 
the open air. Harry preached after me with much ap- 
plause. I rode in the afternoon and preached in Salis- 
bury, in a part of the town in which I had never before 
preached, and I think I have never seen so tender a meet- 
ing in this town before, for a general weeping ran through 
the assembly, especially while Harry gave an exhortation. 
The Lord is carrying on a blessed work in this town. 

" Monday, July 26, I preached on the whole armour 



1790.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



195 



of God, with freedom, and in the afternoon at brother 
Haywood's from, ' If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them 
that are lost.' One careless woman was brought under 
concern, so that shortly after she went home she returned 
and opened to me the state of her mind, and appeared to 
be in great distress indeed. 

" Tuesday, July 27th, between two huge mountains the 
morning appeared very beautiful, and I was very much 
delighted with the prospect when the natural sun had arisen 
and illuminated the earth with his bright beams, but one 
much brighter Sun doth arise to cheer the mind, even the 
Sun of righteousness. At four o'clock I preached on an- 
other beautiful mountain, in a Presbyterian meeting house, 
to about three hundred people, who gave heed to the things 
spoken. The people on this mountain are so far convinced, 
that they appear to receive the gospel. When we first 
came to this mountain the people were much prejudiced, 
but are now more reconciled, and there is a prospect of a 
society. 

" Wednesday, July 28th, I had a sweet time at the fur- 
nace, and sent on Harry to supply my afternoon's appoint- 
ment. I rode twelve miles with two disciples, and had an 
opportunity to see a distressed woman, Mrs. L — n, who 
has almost lost her reason. I endeavoured to converse 
with her, but I was too late. They are very much engaged 
to give her medical aid, but a revelation of the love and 
favour of God alone can relieve her. 

" July 29th, I rode to Hudson, where I found the people 
very curious to hear Harry. I therefore declined preach- 
ing that their curiosity might be satisfied. The different 
denominations heard him with much admiration, and the 
Quakers thought that as he was unlearned he must preach 
by immediate inspiration. 

" Friday 30th, I spent part of the day in planning a new 
church in this city, and in the evening preached to several 
hundred people with considerable freedom from, 4 Him that 
honourethme I will honour,' &c, and I think I never wit- 
nessed a more solemn time in this place. The people of 
this city drive away their convictions by the love of the 
world. I have frequently seen fine prospects here which 
were soon gone. 

"Saturday 31st, crossed the North River, rode twelve 



196 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



11790. 



miles, and preached among the mountains. The Lord 
is deepening his work among these poor people. The 
society is young, but growing." 

In the month of October he attended the conference in 
the city of New- York. 

We may form some idea of the extent and usefulness of 
the labours of Mr. Garrettson and those associated with 
him, from the fact that there had been an increase of two 
thousand five hundred and forty-seven church members 
during the three years of hard toil in this part of the 
country. When he commenced his labours here in 1788 
there were only four circuits, namely, New- York, Long 
Island, New-Rochelle, and Dutchess ; but in 1791 there 
were twelve circuits, namely, New- York, Long Island; 
New-Rochelle, Dutchess, Columbia, New-Britain, Cam- 
bridge, Albany, Saratoga, Otsego, Newburg, and Wyo- 
ming. This one district at that time comprehended nearly 
the whole territory now included in the New-York con- 
ference, consisting of seven districts, numbering eighty 
circuits and stations, and one hundred and sixty three 
effective preachers. 

By this estimate those who now come among us may 
see what their fathers in the gospel had to encounter, the 
immense labours they performed, and the consequent pri- 
vations they must have endured, as well as the astonishing 
success which accompanied their exertions in the cause of 
their Master. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

The printed journal of Mr. Garrettson, by which I have 
been so much assisted thus far, ends with the contents of 
the preceding chapter ; and his manuscripts from this 
period are not very voluminous, although he continued 
occasional notices of the exercises of his mind, as well as 
of his public labours. From these and from other docu- 
ments within reach, I shall endeavour to fill up the re- 
mainder of the years of his devoted life — devoted ex- 
clusively to the best of all causes, the cause of man's sal- 
yation. 



1791.3 LIFE OF REV. F. G-ARRETTSON. 



197 



At the conference of 1791, the district over which Mr. 
Garrettson had presided with so much honour to himself 
and usefulness to others, was divided into two : the south- 
ern part, including Newburg, Wyoming, New- York, New- 
Rochelle, and Long Island circuits, was placed under the 
oversight of the Rev. Robert Cloud ; Dutchess, Columbia, 
New-Britain, Cambridge, Albany, Saratoga, and Otsego, 
formed the district of Mr. Garrettson. On the 11th of 
June he arrived in the city of Albany, found the labours 
of the preacher had been much blessed, and that he had 
succeeded in erecting a house of worship, which Mr. Gar- 
rettson dedicated to the service of Almighty God ; after 
which, in company with the preacher, he went through 
the city from house to house, soliciting contributions to 
aid in paying for their newly-built house. They collected 
however, in the whole, only forty pounds, or one hundred 
dollars. From Albany he travelled west as far as Johns- 
town, where he contracted for a lot of ground and engaged, 
the workmen to build a house of worship. 

In consequence of the division of his district, Mr. Gar- 
rettson was enabled to fill up more of the intermediate 
places, and to spend more time in regulating the societies 
and setting things in order. Having done all he could for 
the " little flock" in Johnstown, he returned to Albany, and 
from thence passed on to Hudson, and visited the western 
part of Connecticut, preaching in all the towns through 
which he passed where he could obtain a place to preach 
in until he came to Farmington., where he met Bishop 
Asbury. 

From the time Mr. Asbury had been consecrated to the 
office of a bishop, according to the rules of the Discipline, 
he had travelled at large through the country, meeting the 
preachers in their several conferences at times and places 
most convenient for them and advantageous to the work 
in which they were engaged. It was customary when he 
came within the bounds of a presiding elder's district, for 
the elder to accompany him from place to place, that from 
a personal inspection of the work, he might be able to 
oversee the whole work to the better advantage. And this 
personal and efficient superintendency devolved princi- 
pally upon Bishop Asbury, as Dr. Coke, though denomi- 
nated a joint superintendent with him, was generally in 



198 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SON. [1791 . 



Europe during the interval of the conferences. To Bishop 
Asbury, therefore, the preachers looked for direction in 
all important matters, and next to him to the presiding 
elders of the districts. At this time Mr. Asbury came into 
this district, and accompanied Mr. Garrettson through 
Litchfield and Cornwall to Canaan, where they held a 
quarterly meeting, and thence to Albany, where Mr. As- 
bury preached five times in the new meeting house. Here 
the preachers assembled, and "held," says Mr. Garrettson, 
" a little conference," and one of the brethren was set 
apart to the office of a deacon. From thence they "-tra- 
velled through Coeyman's, Hudson, Rhinebeck, and Nine 
Partners, and on Saturday and Sunday held a quarterly 
meeting not far from Oblong, where a vast concourse of 
people assembled, so that the meeting house, though large, 
would not contain one third of the people ; they therefore 
withdrew to the woods, and many seemed to receive the 
word with joy." From thence they went on south to Peeks- 
kill and lodged at Governor Courtlandt's. In the " morn- 
ing," says Mr. Garrettson, " I was under the necessity of 
parting with Bishop Asbury. We had had a pleasant time 
together, and I felt a continual calm in my soul, and could 
not leave him without reluctance. I am satisfied that he 
possesses the qualifications of a primitive bishop." This 
testimony to the qualifications of Mr. Asbury as a bishop 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church is the more valuable 
as it comes from one who had been for a considerable 
time his intimate friend, had frequently heard him preach, 
been in his private and public councils, and who knew 
how to estimate true worth of character. And it is no 
little recommendation of Mr. Garrettson that such a man 
as Bishop Asbury reposed the most unlimited confidence 
in his integrity and faithfulness in the cause of his divine 
Master. 

Mr. Garrettson continued his itinerary visits through his 
district, often cheered by crowded congregations hanging 
upon his lips for instruction, and sometimes depressed by 
the indifference with which the word was received. On 
Monday, Sept. 3, he entered the state of Massachusetts, 
and met Mr. Robert Green, one of the preachers who tra- 
velled on the Albany circuit, and found the commencement 
of a glorious work of religion in that part of the country. 



1791.1 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



199 



The faithful minister of Jesus Christ who has proclaim- 
ed an irreconcilable war against sin and Satan, will very 
much deceive himself if he thinks to pass on smoothly 
without opposition from his grand adversary. Not only are 
the wicked and the openly profane leagued against him, 
but also the merely formal professor, as well as all those 
whose peculiarities of belief are brought into contact with 
the pure truths of the gospel. Among other evils in our 
country, where an unrestrained liberty of thought and 
action in religious matters is guarantied to its citizens, 
numerous heresies, some of the most wild and extravagant 
nature, have sprung up and thriven as in a luxuriant soil. 
These, often more destructive in their consequences than 
an undisguised opposition to the gospel, are to be encoun- 
tered, their influence as far as possible counteracted, that 
those who are carried away by their fatal delusions may 
be reclaimed to the " good and right way." Among others 
by which the age has been distinguished, and in many in- 
stances disgraced, is that of Shakerism. Though quite 
local in its character and influence, it has been considered 
of sufficient importance to be noticed in the records of the 
day as a distinct denomination. This spurious offspring 
of an adulterated Christianity has deluded and blinded the 
minds of a very considerable number of our citizens, and 
ought doubtless to be stamped with a seal of disapprobation 
by all sober-mided and orthodox Christians. 

These remarks have arisen from the following notice of 
this deluded sect by Mr. Garrettson, under date of Septem- 
ber 3 : " I met a' sensible man who had been a Shaker, but 
has left them and joined us. Of this person I received the 
most full and satisfactory account of the people called Sha- 
kers that I have ever had. I had been at a loss to know 
how or from whence they sprang. He tells me they are 
the relics of Bell, who was formerly a Methodist preacher 
in England, but was excommunicated by Mr. Wesley for 
his enthusiastic notions. He held to our being as perfect- 
as angels, or as Adam was in paradise ; and was so wild 
as to prophesy that on such a day a part of London should 
be destroyed, to the great harm of thousands in that city. 
Once he was a man of great faith; but where is poor de- 
luded Bell now! His followers were dispersed, and after 
a time a few of them came over and settled at Niskayuna, 



200 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1792, 



where they remained peaceably for some time, until the 
mother, as she was called, Ann Lee, professed to pass 
through an uncommon change ; and a few entered upon 
their new work, which consisted mostly in dancing, 
shaking, turning around, and talking, as they call it, in 
the unknown tongues. This new system was for a time 
carried on with great rapidity, so that persons of respecta- 
bility joined them, and among the rest several ministers. 
I have conversed with several sensible men who have left 
them, who told me that while among them they hated every 
thing they thought to be sinful, and verily thought they 
were doing right." 

The following extracts from his journal will show the 
progress of the gospel in some of the new settlements on 
the west side of the Hudson River. 

" Saturday, Sept. 24th, I left Albany and attended a 
quarterly meeting at Captain Groosbeck's, twenty miles to 
the north. I found great freedom to speak. Several of 
the preachers spoke feelingly and freely. 

" Sunday 25th, our love-feast began at nine o'clock. 
Several of our friends spoke their experience well. One 
of our pious sisters gave the following account : — ' I was 
convinced all was not well with me ; but knew not what 
I wanted, (this was previous to hearing the Methodists.) 
One day I took my Bible and went into the woods to read, 
and seek the Lord. I sat down under a large tree, and 
was reading and weeping, and desirous to know what I 
should do to be saved. 1 at length listened and heard a 
voice saying unto me, Remove from that place. I knew 
not but it might be imagination, and read on till I heard it 
again a second, and a third time. I at length removed 
from the place and sat down about twenty feet off. No 
sooner had I done this than a part of the tree fell on the 
place where I had been sitting. I looked up and saw the 
hand of God in my preservation, and was enabled to look 
to my blessed Redeemer, and he gave me to know that all 
my sins were blotted out, and I returned to the house 
happy in the Lord. After this I had the pleasure of casting 
in my lot among the Methodists, and I feel thankful to the 
Lord, and am now happy in the love of God.' I preached 
after the love-feast on St. John's account of the Laodi- 
ceans ? for I feared they were in a lukewarm state. After 



1791.3 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



201 



meeting ended we settled a dispute between two brethren, 
and I trust some are brought to mourn on account of their 
backsliding. 

" Monday 26th, I crossed the North River, accompanied 
by brother C c, and preached at Newtown, and admi- 
nistered the sacrament. I had a sweet season, and con- 
siderable enlargement in the society by the instrumentality 
of brother Candle. I rode ten or twelve miles to Saratoga, 
where I was to preach at four o'clock, but could not begin 
till five : the congregation was so numerous that the house 
would not contain them ; so I preached under a tree with 
great freedom. I had several of the settled clergy to heai\ 
On the whole we had a weeping time, I was much pleased 
with the good behaviour of the people. By candle light I 
administered the sacrament to nearly twenty of our young 
converts, and as many waited to see it as could crowd in, 
and we had a happy and an affecting time. I feel myself 
happy among the poor children of God. 

" Tuesday 27th, I was to preach at Fish Creek : a man 
met us on the road. 1 Stop, sir,' said he, 4 and clear up 
one thing. Is it right for you to part man and wife ? My 
wife joined your church last night. We are parted, we 
are parted !' The woman was in a flood of tears, and he 
raving like a madman. We passed along, and I preached 
again to upward of two hundred, and communed with a 
few of our young converts. The people in this place seem 
as hard as rocks. I lodged at the house of a kind friend, 
and had some conversation with a religiously disposed 
Presbyterian. 

u Wednesday 28th, we rode to Saratoga Springs, where 
I preached. The larger part of the congregation behaved 
well, but some were rude. This was a mixed company, 
from different parts of the Union. In the afternoon I 
preached at Cadersoy's Creek, and was much discomposed 
by noisy children. I stand in need of patience. O God ! 
give every grace of thy Holy Spirit. 

" Thursday 29th. This morning my mind is comfort- 
able in the Lord. I travelled about thirty miles through a 
country thinly inhabited, the road new and exceedingly 
bad, to Broadalbin, where I had an opportunity of preaching 
to a well-behaved congregation, part of whom had moved 
from Rhode Island. Among the rest I met with Mr. Snow, 

9* 



202 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1792. 



son of the Rev. Mr. Snow, of Providence, at whose house 
I preached. He emulates the piety of his good old father. 
In this place we have a growing society. Among them 
my spirit was much refreshed. 

" Friday 30th, I rode to Mayfleld, a town settled since 
the Revolution. When in this place four months since, I 
was much encouraged ; but they appeared to be greatly re- 
tarded in the race. O ! the world and the sublunary things 
thereof are a great hinderance to vital piety. 

" Saturday 31st, I rode to Johnstown. In time of 
preaching the children made much disturbance. After 
sermon two of our brethren exhorted. About four months 
ago I visited this town, agreed for a lot, and encouraged 
our few friends to build the Lord a house, which is now 
in order for worship. 

" Sunday, Nov. 1st. As it was quarter day, as many 
people came together as our new building would contain, 
made up of a variety of denominations : I preached from 
1 Now the end of the commandment is charity, out of a 
pure heart, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned.'" 

In 1792 we find him travelling over the same ground, 
and extending his labours even farther west. The princi- 
pal part of the country, after going a short distance from 
the banks of the Hudson, at this time was but recently 
settled; the people, though industrious, were generally 
poor, living in log houses, enjoying merely the necessaries 
of life. On this account the preachers who first visited 
them were subjected to privations and inconveniences to 
which those who have since " entered into their labours" 
are strangers. How often have the pioneers in the gospel 
field been found to preach, eat, and sleep in the same room, 
live on the coarsest fare, and at their quarterly meetings 
either assemble in a barn, or in a grove ! In the warm 
season of the year, however, it is not unpleasant to worship 
Him who " hangeth the earth upon nothing, and stretcheth 
the north over the empty space," under the foliage of a 
pleasant grove. 

On the last of June Mr. Garrettson held a quarterly 
meeting at Broadalbin, and on the second day of the 
meeting, July 1, he says that about four hundred people 
assembled, and they had a moving, profitable time.— 
i{ There were," says he, " a large number at the commu- 



IT92.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETT SON. 



203 



nion, and many. I trust, will bless God in eternity for this 
day. We lodged at the house of brother Snow, son of the 
Rev. Mr. Snow, of Providence, R. L, before mentioned, 
and I am happy to add that I think the son emulates his 
pious father. I am much pleased with the people of this 
town, as they appear well disposed, and the Lord is carry- 
ing on a glorious work among them. It is not enough for 
me, O my God ! to bear a public testimony to the truth, 
and to labour heartily and cheerfully in thy vineyard : I 
must be holy, or I cannot have a seat in thy kingdom."' 

It was in this spirit of ardent devotion, with his mind 
constantly bent and all his powers of soul and body con- 
secrated to the advancement of the Redeemer's glory, that 
Mr. Garrettson pursued his way through this newly-settled 
country, encouraging the hearts and strengthening the 
hands of his junior brethren in the ministry, as well as 
dispensing the word of life to all whom he could reach 
with the sound of his voice. After he returned to the city 
of Albany, a place of great spiritual dearth, though much of 
his labour had been bestowed upon it, he was cheered 
with the following intelligence from the preacher who had 
charge of the societies where he had preached the pre- 
ceding Wednesday and Thursday near old Schoharie : — 
" The day after you left us I began to visit from house to 
house. Many in deep distress followed me, and cried 
aloud for mercy, so that before we went to rest ten souls 
were set at liberty." Soon after another letter from the 
same person and place informed him that "the blessed 
work was going on, and that twenty souls had foimd peace 
with God.'' On recording this joyful news, he exclaims, 
" Albany ! when will God arise in power and shake thy 
dry bones ! Gracious God ! thou canst work and none 
can hinder." 

On Monday he left Albany to attend some appointments 
on his district, when, " on crossing a creek," says he, 
" my horse suddenly plunged into a deep hole, entirely 
over his head in water ; but though I was much wet, I 
was brought through unhurt ; and after travelling upward 
of twenty miles, I was abundantly compensated by those 
refreshing streams of which the world knows not, while 
preaching to a company of the poor gathered from their 
cottages. This to me is much sweeter employment than 



204 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1792. 



to dwell at ease in affluence, while the poor are perishing 
for lack of knowledge. O that all the ministers of God 
would consider this, and carefully look after Christ's sheep 
in the wilderness!" In this tour around his district, he 
extended his labours still farther into the new settlements, 
and derived great satisfaction from witnessing the blessed 
effects of those faithful preachers over whom he watched 
with paternal tenderness and care, and whose assurance 
of a divine call to this important work was rendered still 
more satisfactory in the awakening and conversion of 
souls. To satisfy himself more fully respecting their 
qualifications and call to this work, he tells us that he 
" took particular pains to examine them, as well as to hear 
them preach as often as practicable ; and also to give them 
those cautions and directions which I considered suitable 
and necessary ; for which many of them manifest their 
thankfulness." After traversing through several parts of 
this new country, and witnessing the blessed effects of 
their ministrations, he says, " God will do a great work in 
this country." How prophetic ! Since that time the blessed 
work has spread through all this western country to the 
lakes, and into Upper and Lower Canada. 

Under date of Saturday 28th, he gives the following 
remarkable account : — " On looking back I see the hand 
of a good God in my preservation last Thursday. I came 

to Mr. weary and thirsty. I asked for something 

to drink, and my kind friend's wife went to fetch it ; after 
staying about fifteen minutes she returned with some small 
beer : as she advanced toward me I was as sensibly im- 
pressed as if some one had told me, That woman is not 
too good to put poison in the drink. As I was putting it 
to my lips, the same impression was so strong, that imme- 
diately I refused, and put it down on the table untouched. 
Shortly after, dinner was brought on the table ; but I could 
eat very little. The next morning she poisoned her hus- 
band and two others with the meat which had been set 
before me. I was informed not long since that she had 
said she would put an end to all the d — — d Methodists. 
A skilful physician was at hand, or in all probability they 
would have lost their lives. She was immediately sent to 
the jail in Albany." 

He then came to Rhinebeck, where he enjoyed sweet 



1792.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



205 



consolation in communion with God in secret, and with 
his Christian friends. Thence he passed on through the 
eastern part of York state into Connecticut and Massa- 
chusetts to Pittsfield, where he had the pleasure of again 
meeting Bishop Asbury, as he was returning from the 
conference at Lynn, Mass. " I can truly say," observes 
Mr. Garrettson, " I was never more happy to see him." 
They then went in company to Albany, where the preachers 
in these parts, twenty in number, were assembling for 
conference, which was opened on Wednesday 15th, by 
Bishop Asbury, " with an excellent sermon." This con- 
ference, it seems, was attended with much of the presence 
of God, and the preachers went to their several stations 
with glad hearts and renewed courage, knowing their work 
was with God. 

From this conference he accompanied Bishop Asbury 
to Rhinebeck, where he had the happiness of hearing him 
preach a " very useful sermon." " On the way," Mr. Gar- 
rettson says, "we had some close conversation on church 
government. On this subject there is not a perfect 
unanimity of sentiment." What particular point of church 
government it was concerning which they discoursed, we 
are not told ; but it is presumed that it related to the 
general superintendency, as Mr. Garrettson was of the 
opinion, that instead of having the whole continent under 
one general superintendency, it would have been better if 
it had been divided among several, making each superin- 
tendent responsible for his own particular district to the 
General Conference. To this opinion I believe he adhered 
to the last, though he calmly acquiesced in the decisions 
of a majority of his brethren in this as well as in all matters 
relating to the regulations of the discipline of the church. 

From Rhinebeck he passed on to New- York, and from 
thence through Philadelphia to Baltimore, in order to attend 
the General Conference which assembled October 31, 1792. 
It was at this conference that the subject of an appeal from 
the appointment of the bishop to the annual conference 
was brought forward by Mr. O'Kelley, and largely debated. 
That all may understand the nature of this subject, it is 
necessary to remark, that according to the regulations of 
the Discipline, the bishop attending an annual conference 
has the sole power of appointing all the preachers to their 



206 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1792. 



several stations. Mr. O'Kelly wished to put what he 
considered a salutary check upon this power, by providing 
that if a preacher felt himself aggrieved or oppressed in 
his appointment, he should have the privilege of appealing 
to the conference, which should consider and finally deter- 
mine the matter. After a long and animated discussion, 
the question was decided in the negative, and Mr. O'Kelly 
withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church. In refer- 
ence to these things, Mr. Garrettson observes that " Mr. 
O'Kelly's distress was so great on account of the late 
decision, that he informed us by letter that he no longer 
considered himself one of us. This gave great grief to 
the whole conference. Two persons were appointed with 
me as a committee to treat with him. Many tears were 
shed, but we were not able to reconcile him to the decision 
of the conference. His wound was deep, and apparently 
incurable." 

The tenderness thus manifested toward an erring brother, 
so characteristic of Mr. Garrettson, reminds one of the 
apostolic direction, " If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye 
which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of 
meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." 
When an act of excision becomes necessary, from the 
stubbornness of an offending member, the character of the 
church sustains no injury, but acquires much credit by 
performing this duty in the spirit of tenderness, evincing a 
love to the person she is constrained to disown. I believe 
this spirit was strikingly exemplified in the present instance 
toward Mr. O'Kelly, not only by Mr. Garrettson, who 
mourned over his fallen brother with the sympathy of a 
Christian, but also by the whole conference. 

This was the first schism of any considerable magnitude 
which had been made in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. O'Kelly was a preacher of some talent and influence ; 
he had been employed as a presiding elder, according to 
Bishop Asbury's account, "in the south district of Virginia, 
for about ten succeeding years." Mr. Lee, in his history 
of the Methodists, affirms that O'Kelly was not sound in 
the doctrine of the Trinity, and thinks that a fear of being 
called to an account for his heterodoxy in this particular 
was the principal cause of his withdrawing from the church. 
Whatever truth there may be in this, his proceedings raised 



1792.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SOIL 



207 



very considerable disturbance in the societies, particularly 
in some parts of Virginia, as three of the travelling preachers 
withdrew with him : and as they immediately commenced 
a warfare against the people they had left, several thousands 
of the people were induced to join their standard. They 
at first called themselves " Republican Methodists." utterred 
many harsh and uncharitable censures against the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, particularly against Bishop Asbury, and 
endeavoured to inflame the passions of the people so as to 
induce them to revolt against their former pastors. Their 
success for awhile stimulated them to increased exertions ; 
but they soon began to decline, until finally their influence 
was annihilated, and at the present time they are not known 
as a distinct denomination. Pure religion, however, in 
the region of country where they prevailed most, suffered, 
a sad declension, and perhaps in some instances it has 
scarcely recovered its wonted vigour and activity to this 
day ; so deleterious are the effects of " dissensions among 
brethren." 

It is not doubted but that a man may withdraw himself 
from the Methodist Church from conscientious motives ; 
but it is a remarkable fact in the history of this church 
that nearly all those who have withdrawn have distin- 
guished themselves more by the virulence of their invec- 
tives against their old friends than by their zeal to "con- 
vert sinners from the error of their ways.''' This was par- 
ticularly the case with Mr. O'Kelly and his party, as well 
as others who have taken similar steps. The consequence 
has been a diminution of that loving zeal by which the 
sincere and devout Christian is characterized, and an 
increase of party animosity, of strife, and many evil works, 
which have ultimately led to the overthrow and entire 
prostration of the party. Let but the Methodist Episcopal 
Church persevere in her career of " doing good of every 
possible sort to the souls and bodies of men," manifesting 
a spirit of forbearance and brotherly affection among its 
members, and of Christian moderation toward all men, 
and " no weapon that is formed against her shall prosper." 

At the close of this conference Mr. Carrettson has the 
following reflections : — " what a wonder to see so large 
a body of preachers gathered from all parts of the conti- 
nent, and, like little children, sitting at each other's feet, 



208 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1793. 



united as the heart of one man, and all engaged in one 
common cause, namely, to demolish the kingdom of Satan 
and to build up that of the Redeemer ! I retired to my 
room, not indeed alone, for I trust my blessed Saviour was 
with me. O my God, let me rather die than cease to 
love thee." 

From this conference Mr. Garrettson returned to Cokes- 
bury College, where he preached, and then paid a visit to 
his relations on the eastern shore of Maryland, and was 
much comforted in their society. After preaching a num- 
ber of times with great satisfaction to those with whom he 
formerly "took sweet counsel" in this part of the country, 
he pursued his journey to New-York, and immediately 
entered upon the labour of his district with his usual zeal 
and success, every where hailed as a messenger of God. 

He continued in this work, extending his excursions 
still farther and farther into the western settlements, until 
June 30, 1793, when he was united in marriage to Miss 
Catherine Livingston, daughter of Judge Livingston, of 
Clermont, manor of Livingston, a woman every way 
qualified to be to him "a help meet indeed," and whose 
pious efforts to promote the Redeemer's kingdom were 
ever after, during his life, affectionately united with those 
of her devoted husband. They were married by the Rev. 
Peter Moriarty in the first Methodist church in Rhine- 
beck, and afterward partook of the blessed supper of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

On this occasion he makes the following reflections : 
" I am now happy in the society of my dear friend, and 
find the two families, Sands's and Schuyler's, as kind and 
as attentive as ever. I hope always to live as God would 
have me both for time and eternity. I am happy, and 
hope to be more and more so. Lord, we are thine. Thou 
hast united our spirits to thyself and to each other. Do 
with us as seemeth thee good, only let us be wholly thine : 
let us live to thy glory, and grant that our union may be 
for the furtherance of each other in the way to the kingdom 
of heaven." 



1800.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



209 



CHAPTER XV. 

From the time of Mr. Garrettson's marriage in 1793, 
until 1809, I find no regular account of his travels and 
labours. It appears, however, from the minutes of the 
conference, that he was this year stationed as elder in the 
city of Philadelphia, and likewise had charge of Bristol, 
Chester, and Wilmington circuits. This was a season 
of peculiar affliction to the citizens of Philadelphia. The 
yellow fever raged : and as Mr. Garrettson was going into 
the city, thousands were coming out, to escape this fell 
destroyer of human life. His labours here were greatly 
blessed. In 1794 he was stationed in what has since 
been called the New-York district, which included Pitts- 
field, Cambridge, Dutchess, Columbia, Croton, New-Ro- 
chelle, Long Island, New- York, and Brooklyn circuits. 
With a view to his temporal accommodation he purchased 
a farm in Rhinebeck, and settled his small family. This, 
however, did not interrupt his ministerial labours, nor 
circumscribe the sphere of his usefulness. In this place 
his family resided five years, during which time Mr. Gar- 
rettson continued his exertions in the sacred cause of his 
divine Master with his usual zeal and devotedness, chiefly 
in that part of the country. In 1799 we find him stationed 
as a presiding elder within the bounds of the Philadelphia 
conference, having Salem, Burlington, Bethel, Trenton, 
Freehold, Elizabethtown, Flanders, and Newburgh circuits 
for his district. 

In the year 1800 he was returned to the New-York 
district. Having made an exchange of the place he had 
occupied for another on the eastern bank of the Hudson, 
in 1799 he commenced building a dwelling house. The 
following incident is related on the best authority : — -The 
day on which the house was raised, while Mr. Garrettson 
stood admiring with what facility the frame went up, the 
power and goodness of God were so gloriously manifested, 
that he was constrained to retire to the lime house to give 
vent to his tears. After composing himself he returned. 
While another part of the frame w^as going up, the Lord 
so smiled from heaven upon him, that he retired to give 
an expression of his joys, of glory and thanks to his Re- 



210 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1800. 



deemer. On returning home, he related these things with 
evident satisfaction to 'Mrs. Garrettson, and they rejoiced 
together " for the consolation." The next day they were 
visited by their much beloved friend. Bishop Asbury. 

In this mansion the family of Mr. Garrettson, consisting 
of his wife, an only daughter, and a few pious domestics, 
resided until his death, and here the widow and daughter 
still reside. Here was every thing to make life comfortable. 
The house stands on a high bank on the eastern side of 
the noble Hudson, whose waters are perpetually enli- 
vened by numerous sloops transporting the produce of 
the country to New-York and caiaying up in exchange 
the necessaries and luxuries of life, as well as by steam- 
boats loaded with passengers. A commanding view down 
the river for several miles is afforded to the eye of the 
inmates of the house and their numerous visiters. Trees 
of various sorts, apple, peach, and a variety of other fruit- 
bearing trees, shrubbery, <&c, surround the dwelling, and 
combine together to render it a most delightful residence. 
But what tended to make it a much more desirable retreat 
to the pious of all denominations, was the Christian urba- 
nity, the pious example, and the amiable spirit manifested 
at all times by the inmates of a mansion which has been 
dedicated to God from its foundation. 

Having become the head of a family, and very soon 
made responsible for the use and management of a verv 
considerable estate, Mr. Garrettson began to feel his cares 
multiply upon him, and was often distressed at the thought 
of being called by these means, in any measure, from his 
more immediate vocation ; and sometimes he would with 
tears in his eyes say, that God had designed a brighter 
crown for him. " One night," says Mrs. Garrettson, " I 
heard him conversing in a low voice, with tears and groans. 
Soon after he turned to me and said, that he had been 
pleading witb the Lord not to take his crown from him on 
account of his unfaithfulness ; and that the Lord had assured 
him, that no man should take Jus crown ; and that what he 
could do in his present situation should be accepted. At 
which he rejoiced, and was greatly comforted." 

The following is the account given by Mrs. Garrettson 
of the maner in which they took possession of their new 
house. Were all newly married persons thus to enter on 



1804.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 211 

life, thus to dedicate themselves and their house to God, 
how many blessings now unhappily lost would be secured ! 
" Our house being nearly finished, in October, 1799, we 
moved into it, and the first night in family prayer, while 
my blessed husband was dedicating it to the Lord, the 
place was filled with His presence, who in days of old 
filled the temple with his glory. Every heart rejoiced, 
and felt that God was with us of a truth. Such was our 
introduction into our new habitation ; — and had we not 
reason to say with Joshua, As for me and my house, we 
will serve the LordV The pious order, great simplicity, 
and regularity ever after observed in this house, evince 
how sincerely it was thus dedicated to God's holy honour 
and service. 

Mr. Garrettson continued to fill the office of presiding 
elder on the New- York district until the conference of 
1804, when we find him stationed in Rhinebeck. In 
1805 and 1806 he was stationed in the city of New-York. 
In 1807 Mr. Garrettson received the appointment of a 
missionary within the bounds of the New-York confer- 
ence, having Seth Crow ell, a young preacher of zeal and 
enterprise, and Robert Dillon, a man at that time equally 
zealous, as helpers in the mission. In 1808 he was again 
stationed at Rhinebeck ; and in 1809 and 1810 a mission- 
ary. These appointments may be considered as an ac- 
commodation to Mr. Garrettson, that he might feel himself 
at liberty to preach at large, visit the churches in differ ent 
places, and confirm the souls of the disciples. 

In the year 1809 he paid a visit to his old friends on 
the Eastern Shore of Maryland, a place where in former 
days he had been greatly owned of the Lord. 

Under date of June 12, 1809, he relates the following 
occurence :— 

" Last Saturday, about two o'clock, I went to the ferry 
to cross at Powles Hook, and drove near where the boat 
lay ; a crowd of people being around. The horse began 
to back ; and convinced I could not recover him, I leaped 
immediately out of the chair, and within the twentieth part 
of a minute after, horse, chair, and baggage, were all in the 
water. The horse was active, and swam with the carriage 
for life. Many people were engaged with boats, and got 
off the harness with only cutting the girt ; so that the har- 



212 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1807-9. 



ness was not injured ; the horse was extricated unhurt, 
and shortly after the chair was taken up, and every indi- 
vidual thing, without the smallest damage, except getting 
wet, and the small end of the shaft broken. I crossed on 
to Newark, and got there by the middle of the afternoon, 
and found none of my baggage seriously injured, excepting 
my precious little Bible. It was a heavy jar jumping out 
of the chair, but I am nearly as well as ever. The affair 
was most remarkable ; first — one hour before it happened 
I said to a friend, I will put this pocket book into my 
packet, lest something should happen, in which were notes 
and valuable papers. Second — my escaping the tenth or 
twentieth part of a minute before the chair and horse went 
over. Third — the horse, chair, baggage, and harness 
unhurt, except the shaft. Fourth — my mind was kept as 
calm and collected as at this moment. All these things 
considered, we may see the superintending hand of God, 
and be led to adore his holy name. No doubt it was per- 
mitted for good, and I believe I shall profit by it." 

From thence Mr. Garrettson passed on to Belville, from 
that to Newark and Trenton, in which places he preached, 
and thence to Philadelphia. Here he preached with much 
liberty and satisfaction, and was greatly refreshed in the 
society of his old friends. After spending some time in 
this place, preaching and visiting, he passed on to Wil- 
mington and to Elkton, where he had the happiness to 
find his niece, Mrs. Taylor, in the fear and love of God. 
Under date of June 22 he makes the following reflec- 
tions : — ■ 

" In the afternoon I met a large society, after which I 
inquired if any were alive who were members thirty years 
ago, when I rode that circuit. They told me not one. 
'0! my friends,' said I, 'probably all of you will be in 
eternity before the end of thirty years more. You see the 
necessity of training up your children for the chinch, in 
order to keep a succession of faithful members, as our 
children and children's children must perpetuate the 
memory of Christ on earth ; and so from generation to 
generation be transplanted from the militant to the church 
triumphant, that the upper region may be peopled with 
blessed millions to adore the Saviour eternally.' " 

The following account of this tour was communicated 



1809.1 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



213 



to Mrs. Garrettson in a series of letters which he wrote 
during his absence. It will doubtless be read with interest, 
by those especially of his surviving friends in that part of 
the country, as well as by all others who delight in seeing 
" the good hand of God" on his servants. 

" Friday 23. I leave my horse to rest, and Mr. Pres- 
bury accompanies me to Baltimore. My sister Elizabeth 
died about thirty years ago, and left an only child. I saw 
her about a twelvemonth ago, but she is now gone. 

" Saturday I spent mostly in retirement, except to visit 
some friends. 

" Sunday 25. This morning I preached at Old Town, 
in the afternoon at Light-street, and in the evening was to 
be at the Point ; but as the weather was so excessively 
warm, I thought I could not go in justice to myself. The 
congregations here do not increase much : indeed they are 
rather smaller. The extravagance of some of our people 
has had a greater tendency to fill other churches than their 

own. Mr. D d's congregation they say increases very 

much ; it seems a half way house. I am willing God 
should work when, where, and by whom he pleases. I 
have met brother Jesse, and he sent on my appointments 
to Washington and Georgetown. 

" Monday 26. I took the stage, and in the evening 
arrived at Georgetown ; had a large congregation. Our 
friends are much engaged. Brother Roszel is the sta- 
tioned minister. The weather remains very warm. 'Tis 
well I got a loose thin garment before I left New-York. 
I lodge at Mr. Elison's, a very worthy family. Here I have 
a large cool room. They are some of my old Eastern 
Shore friends. 

" Tuesday 27. To-day Mrs. Foxal sent her carriage 
for me, and kindly gave me the use of it while I stay. 
In the afternoon I went to town, and stopped at Captain 
Lewis's, where I found Jesse Lee, the chaplain, nursing 
his leg. On his way from Baltimore the day before, his 
horse fell, broke the shaft of his gig, threw him out, and 
one of the screws bruised and cut his leg very much. I 
am fearful it will go hard with him if the hot weather con- 
tinues. I preached in the evening to many people with a 
degree of freedom. 

"Wednesday 28. This morning brother Smith, the 



214 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOtt. [1809. 



city preacher, went with me to the navy yard, and I thought 
well of the improvements. Dined at Captain Lewis's. He 
is not a member of society, but his daughters are. I was well 
pleased with the family. In the afternoon brother Elison 
came for me ; I intended to go and hear the debates in 
congress, but they had adjourned for dinner sooner 
than usual. This evening I preached in Georgetown 
again ; here we have a respectable society, and had I 
been an apostle they could not have treated me much better. 

" Thursday 29. I went to breakfast with an old East- 
ern Shore friend, brother Gruntree. He is an old Method- 
ist preacher. Here brother Parrot and his lady, my earliest 
friends, came to see me, and took me to Mrs. Foxal's. 

" Friday 30. I left my hospitable friends, and came on 
in the stage, laden with members of congress and others, 
to Baltimore. 

" Saturday 31. Mr. Hollingsworth gave me a kind in- 
vitation to stay with him ; so that I am now most comfort- 
ably retired in a large airy room. This afternoon I had 
an interview with Richard Garrettson, my nephew. He 
gave me a particular account of his father's landed estate, 
which has been for years involved in law. Their title was 
thought by the first lawyers to be good, and there was no 
probability of their losing the suit. He tells me the first 
person that entered a claim died very suddenly before the 
trial came on, and likewise the second ; and lately a third 
person renewed the suit, and died suddenly and left his 
pretended right to no one. The suit is fallen. 

"July 2. My to-day's appointment was announced last 
week in the public paper. I had much freedom to preach 
in the new church this morning. Mr. Colvil, with his five 
motherless children in deep mourning, came around me in 
tears : it was an affecting sight. In the afternoon I preached 
in good old Mr. Otterbine's church. I am not in Rhine- 
beck now, but where thousands think it a privilege to hear 
an old Methodist preacher. Mrs. Gough drank tea with 
us at Mr. Hollings worth's, and talks of taking me to my 
appointment at Mr. Presbury's, where I left my horse. 
It was published in all the churches to-day for my last ser- 
mon in the new chapel. On Tuesday evening I heard 
brother Shin preach. He is a good preacher, and is 
stationed here, and appears deeply devoted to God. 



1809.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



215 



" July 4. This is the day of great parade in the city. 
Some of the Methodists were warmly engaged in it. From 
what I understand it was conducted with as much decency 
as the nature of the thing would admit. The language of 
my heart was, Turn away thine eyes from beholding vanity. 
In the evening I preached in the new church to a large 
congregation, and we had a time of power. I have known 
the society here in a more flourishing state. I fear politics 
has done hurt to the cause of religion. 

" Wednesday 5. This morning I left my kind friends, 
accompanied by brother Hagerty, in his gig, to Presbury's 
church, where I left my horse, and had an agreeable time 
and freedom to preach. This is a blessed family. His 
mother was my father's niece, and I knew her thirty years 
ago deep in piety ; but she has long since gone to glory. 
Her son is now treading in her steps. 

" Thursday 6. Accompanied by my cousin Presbury 
and other relatives, we repaired to what is called the Camp 
Meeting Chapel. It is beautifully situated in a forest, at a 
distance from any house. As I rode up, my mind was 
solemnly impressed when I saw such a number of horses 
and carriages fastened to the trees, and the people waiting 
to hear the word. I had a sweet time in speaking from 1 
Cor. vii, 21. "While the gracious Lord was visiting the 
people with his heavenly grace, we had a little shower to 
refresh the vegetable creation. It seems this chapel is one 
of Mr. Gough's last acts of kindness to the poor. I went 
home with Mrs. Gough. There are some handsome im- 
provements about this venerable mansion, and the garden 
excels any thing I have seen. At present the parlour 
family is very large, there being much company. While 
they enjoyed themselves in the hall, Mrs. Gough and my- 
self sat in the parlour, talking over old times. At nine 
o'clock the bell rung, and about fifty of the family as- 
sembled for prayer in the chapel. All the gentlemen and 
ladies were present morning and evening. The riches 
of the world are good, if made a good use of. Who can tell 
how these pretty things will be employed a few years 
hence ?" (Mrs. Carrol and her mother were both out of 
health ; and since both are dead.) 

" Friday 7. My appointment to-day is in Harford, at 
Belle Air court house. I came to the place a little after 



216 



LIFE OF REV, F. GARRETTSON. 



[1809. 



3 o'clock, and found there had been a misunderstanding. 
A large gathering had been there at 11, and were gone. 
We went to Mrs. Montgomery's, and had a little gathering 
at five. Dined to-day at my eldest brother's widow's. 
Brother Galespy, the circuit preacher, met me there, and 
he and my nephew came with me to my niece, Mrs. Nor- 
ris's, and spent the night. She and her daughters are very 
friendly, and desire to enjoy religion. 

" Saturday 8. This day the preacher and my nephew, 
F. Garrettson, left me. Here I have one sister living : 
she is old, and her memory is so totally gone, that she 
does not know her own children ; but gives no trouble 
whatever ; and sits and knits without, speaking a word, 
unless spoken to. A few nights ago she called her 
daughter, and told her she should die soon, and requested 
her to bury her by her dear husband. I think I never 
saw a greater picture of innocence. This afternoon I go 
to Abington. 

" Sunday 9. This morning a very large congregation 
assembled from almost all quarters. My mind was sweetly 
drawn out. The church was much crowded, and many of 
my relatives were present. Preached from Psalm xlviii, 
12, 13. I told them I had come several hundred miles to 
invite them to come to Jesus, and to inform them that after 
following the Lord between thirty and forty years, I found 
religion better and better. I preached about an hour and 
a half, and scarcely knew when to give over. There was 
no loud noise, but the whole assembly were melted into 
tenderness, while I entreated them to meet me in heaven, 
for thither I was bound. In the afternoon I rode seven 
miles, to what is called Bush chapel ; but it would not 
contam the people ; so I preached in a grove with freedom. 
Glory to God, I have lived to convince friends and foes 
that I am sincere at least. 

" Many descendants of my ancestors were present. 
Some of you have wondered where I have been, and what 
I have been about. Excuse me if I make a small digres- 
sion to inform you. When the sermon was ended, many 
gave the hand ; among the rest was good old brother 
Watters, 80 years of age, and brother Herbert, 90, who 
had made an effort to come out. Indeed they looked like 
ripe shocks, fit to be gathered home. Mr. Allen, minister 



1809. LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON T . 



217 



of Specucia church, who was a hearer, said he wanted 
some conversation, I requested him to fall in with me 
at some other place, where we could have more time 
together. He said he would. I went home with my 
cousin, R. Garrettson, and found my mind sweetly com- 
posed after the labours of the day. There are very few 
families in this country, at least in the interior part of it, to 
whom I might not have access. Indeed if I were an angel 
I could no be treated with a greater degree of kindness, 
I rejoice to find Dr. Hall, who is stationed in this circuit, 
very much followed. It is in his power to do much good 
through the blessing of God. 

" Monday 10. I preached in a church in Bush River 
Neck, near the Chesapeake Bay, and not a mile from the 
place in which I was born, and within half a mile of where 
I believe the first church in Maryland was built. From 
what I can learn, it was built by an ancestor of mine more 
than two hundred years ago. It was the height of harvest, 
or there would have been more hearers than the church 
could contain ; however, it was pretty well filled. I had 
some freedom to preach from James i, 24, A Colonel 
Mathews was present, whom I have not seen since we 
were boys. I requested him to go with me to Mr. Chancy's, 
where I was to lodge. I wanted to talk with him about 
new things and old ; he gave me his company some hours, 
He is not acquainted with Jesus, but seems to have a re- 
spect for religion, 

" Tuesday 11. This day I spent in visiting my relations 
in the Neck. None of them oppose religion, and they 
generally think well of Methodism. They are, I believe, 
moral and industrious, and have a fulness of this world's 
goods. I told them freely my errand among them, and 
that they Avanted but one thing to make them a happy 
people. 

H I appointed to preach at Miss Griffith's. One of the 
young ladies went to give an invitation to our relatives 
there ; they said they should be glad to see me, but they 
had not time to attend the meeting. I sent a message to 
them, begging if they would not meet me on earth, they 
would strive to meet me in heaven. In this place I had but 
a small congregation. Here parson Allen met me again, 
and stayed all night. When alone, I inquired with regard 

10 



218 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



CI 809, 



to his knowledge of divine things experimentally, and the 
manner of his preaching. I told him he was appointed to- 
serve a people who were near to me by natural ties, as the 
greater part of his congregation were my family con- 
nections. I begged of him to declare the counsel of 
God faithfully, to attend to regular church discipline, to 
visit from house to house, to have meetings in different 
parts of the congregation, and to exercise extemporaneous- 
ly, both in prayer and exhortation, and show the people 
that there is something wanted besides profession and 
morality. He said he would do the best he could, that 
he wished my time was not so short, and would be glad if 
I would stay some days at his house. 

" Thursday 13. This morning I parted with Mr. Allen, 
and yesterday I parted with brother Galespy, (who had 
faithfully attended me to every place.) and my affectionate 
Harford friends, and was accompanied by some relatives 
to the ferry. I crossed, and went on to the head of North- 
East I have just received a letter from bro- 
ther Cooper ; he says he must leave the Peninsula soon, 
and I must by all means come on and help him. I shall, 
God willing^, be at Smyrna, Del., the 27th of this month. 

"July 14. This morning I left North East, came ta 
Elkton, and preached at five o'clock to a small congrega- 
tion. My niece and her husband were very kind to rae, 
and my mind was easy and free. I am not of that service 
to people as I wish to be. This always was, and I fear 
always will be, a poor place for religion. 

" Saturday 15. I rode to Mr. Canaan's, where I found 
several of my old friends and acquaintances still in the 
profession, and I trust happy in the enjoyment of religion. 
We had a comfortable time together ; the conversation 
turned mostly on the subject of falling, jumping, shouting, 
and clapping. I made free to speak my sentiments. Mr. 
Canaan was with me ; but Mrs. Canaan had her fears, and 
asked if I had ever been at a camp meeting. 

" Sunday 16. A large congregation assembled in Bethel 
chapel. While we were singing the first hymn, a woman 
shouted and jumped amazingly. Before I gave out my 
text, to prepare the assembly for an attentive hearing I 
told them I had come a great way to communicate gospel 
truths to them, and I requested a patient hearing. I was 



1809.1 



LIFE OF REV. F, GARRETTSON. 



219 



led to give a display of the wisdom and goodness of God, 
and to open to view our duty in resigning up our all to 
him, to the evidencing the power of religion experimentally, 
and likewise to display the external marks of inward reli- 
gion. I told them a ministry of this kind was necessary 
to keep up a pure flame ; without it they could not expect 
to prosper, and that there would be an evaporation that 
would leave them a mere sound, without the vital flame. 
The congregation was still and attentive till I ended the 
sermon, and then one jumped and shouted. I thought it 
a great favour that there was stillness and attention till I 
ended my sermon. Mr. Basset dined with us, and in the 
afternoon I rode home with him, and spent an agreeable 
evening ; but I find my friends are growing old like my- 
self. Mrs. B. is a pious woman, and he is full of zeal arrd 
love. He would have gone with me, but his many con- 
cerns prevented. He told me that wherever his influence 
extended he did not suffer a drop of distilled liquor to be 
used. His house and table are very plain ; and he says 
he feels it to be his duty to do everything in his power for 
the cause of God. 

u Tuesday 18. I rode after dinner twenty -two miles to 
Smyrna, preached with freedom, and lodged at Dr. Ridge- 
ley's. His wife was daughter to parson Harris, and was 
among some of my first spiritual children about Chester- 
town, thirty years ago. Here I met an old friend, one of 
Jud^e White's daughters, who has stood fast in the Lord 
more than thirty years. In the vicinity they are making 
great preparation for a camp meeting, to begin next week. 
I went to the spot, where I suppose fifty men were em- 
ployed in seating the ground. They thought it would take 
fifteen thousand feet of plank, and there seemed to be great 
anticipations of glorious times. 

" Wednesday 19. I rode to Queen Ann's. When I rode 
up to my old friend's, brother Segar's, I told him to take a 
full view of me, and try to recognise some features ; but 
he could not. I made myself known, and we had a sea- 
son of much happiness. 

" Thursday 20. This dear friend intends travelling 
with me till I return from Smyrna. We went on, and 
dined at Thomas Wright's, and after dinner lodged at Mr. 
Fediman's. He did know me, and that was all, for he had 



220 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[180?, 



to consider a long time. Several friends came over this 
afternoon, and we had some religions conversation, and 
some politics. Upon the whole it was an agreeable time. 
Brother Segar is a pillar in the temple. 

" Friday 21. We came to Centreville, and in the evening 
the church was nearly filled. I preached, and then went 
on to Mr. Kanard y s to lodge. This is a respectable and 
kind family. 

" Saturday 22. I spent the day retired, and had an 
opportunity to read and write. 

" Sunday 23. I had hearers from five to twenty miles, 
and should have had a great congregation had there been 
general notice. However, the church was filled morning 
and afternoon. There is a large, respectable congregation 
in 'and about this place. I can say, glory to God, this was 
a high day. I had the privilege to see many of my old 
friends and their children. Some of the blacks were in 
raptures. My intention was to go down the Peninsula, 
for about three or four weeks, on the Chesapeake side, and 
up on the other side, and I had my appointments about 
fifteen or twenty miles apart, by which means I might have 
an opportunity of speaking to thousands and tens of thou- 
sands, perhaps for the last time, and seeing many of my 
old friends ; but I found the country filled with notices for 
camp meetings. I w r as pressed by Mr. Basset and others 
by all means to attend them. I am now going on my way 
to Smyrna, where the first begins. 

" Monday 24. I leave my kind Centreville friends, and 
am to preach in the English church, which is almost an 
unheard of favour in this country ; but it was the desire of 
the vestry. In this neighbourhood I w r as beaten by Mr. 
Brown years ago, and now a near relation of his is the 
principal vestryman. My appointment was at four o'clock, 
and though a wet afternoon, the church was crowded above 
and below with Methodist and Church folks, white and 
black, and we had a moving time. This meeting was at 
Church Hill. I do indeed love the Lord Jesus. 

" Tuesday 25. At four o'clock, in the Methodist church 
near Saddler's cross roads, I had uncommon freedom to 
preach. A large church was filled above and below. 
Indeed it looked a little like quarterly meeting. I preached 
on Peter's denying Christ. We had a very powerful time , 



1809.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



221 



but the enemy took advantage of a weak minded black 
man in the front gallery, who cried aloud, stripped, and 
struck his fists together, and declared he would not see 
his blessed Master treated in that sort ; — that he would 
fight for him till he died on the spot. I desired them to 
take him out, and not let him return till the meeting closed ; 
which they did in less than two minutes. My soul is 
happy ; Lord, keep me humble. The children . and grand- 
children of old friends show me the same respect that their 
parents would if alive. 

" Wednesday 26. I had great freedom to preach to-day. 
I left you at Smyrna ; I again resume my detail : — There 
were about thirty preachers present, local and travelling, 
and seats provided for about three thousand. There were 
two hundred and sixty tents. I lodged every night on the 
ground, in Dr. Ridgeley's tent. We had fourteen ser- 
mons in the course of the meeting, and very powerful 
speaking. I preached with great freedom on Friday, from. 
Isaiah's vision, vi, 8 ; and on Sunday, from ' I am not 
ashamed of the gospel,' &c, Rom. i. 16. M'Claskey, 
Chalmers, and M'Combs, delivered some able discourses. 
The meeting increased every day till Sunday, when there 
were about five thousand people. I did not see one dis- 
orderly person on the ground from first to last ; scarcely a 
single thing to drink except water, and sometimes a little 
milk with it, or molasses and vinegar. They had tables, 
beds, curtains, carpets, and provisions, and servants, in 
great order. W T e had a solemn, profitable season, but no 
particular outpouring of the Spirit, and very few converted., 
awakened, or sanctified. The people in this country must 
be either Methodists or nothing, for there is scarcely a 
minister of any other name. At this meeting I saw a 
great many of my old friends with pleasure, and I trust 
with profit. Good Mr. Basset seems taken up with divine 
things. At parting they had a manoeuvre, which some of 
us old men did not feel free to join in, marching around 
the camp, blowing five or six trumpets, and singing by 
turns. 

" Tuesday, Aug. 2. At eight o'clock the meeting closed. 
O ! what a blessed day it will be when friends meet to 
part no more ft,r ever ! Brother Chalmers, a respectable 
old preacher from Baltimore, travels with me. My appoint- 



222 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1809. 



ment at night was in Dover church, and it was well rilled. 
My text was, ' Grow in grace.' Brother Chalmers exhort- 
ed, and we had a good time. Lodged at Mr. Bassett's. 

" Wednesday 3. My appointment was at Barret's chapel, 
at three o clock. About three hundred people were 
assembled, many more than I expected, as they had but 
short notice. I spoke from, ' But one thing is needful.' 
Brother Chalmers exhorted, and the Lord was with us. 
I am still among my children and old friends. A woman 
belonging to the community of Quakers was present in a 
state of desperation ; whom her friends sent in hope of 
relief. I conversed and prayed with her, but left her in 
the same state, despairing of the mercy of God. Here I 
met with many kind friends I had not seen for four or five 
and twenty years. Many of my old associates are gone to 
glory, but their children and grandchildren have taken their 
seats in the church. We stayed at Judge Barret's. His 
brother was a dear friend of mine, and a spiritual child, but 
long since gone to rest. I hope the children will tread in 
the steps of their pious parents. 

" Thursday 4. We went on to Milford, and got on the 
camp ground by ten o'clock. Seats were prepared for 
about two thousand. Meeting opened at three — a small 
congregation, and a small sermon. Friday the congrega- 
tion increased. I preached from Peter's denial of Christ. 
Saturday the congregation increased. Brother Chalmers 
preached a good sermon : — not a great many, and mostly 
young. Sunday about three thousand. I preached from 
4 Walk about Zion,' &c, Psalm xlviii, 12, 13. Had much 
freedom ; — about one hundred and fifty tents. Here I met 
many dear old friends from fifty and sixty miles around, and 
we were happy together. We had three sermons each day, 
but I cannot say we had any extraordinary work either in 
conviction or conversion. Those who do not profess reli- 
gion behaved well. No intoxicated person, nor even the 
smell of liquor, on the ground. A few noisy, jumping, 
dancing Methodists, did, I fear, more hurt than good. An 
empty sound is very disagreeable to me ; a shout, when 
the power of God is in it, is sweet to me. I have never 
been at a meeting where there were more fruitless human 
exertions, though I did what I could to prevent them. I 
begged them to wait for the Master, and let him take the 



1809.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



223 



lead. Extravagance was carried to the greatest height 
among the blacks, for many of them continued it for hours 
together. Such things, when the power of God is not in 
the camp, tend to dissipate the mind. The most I can 
say of this meeting is, there was great attention paid to the 
word preached. During my stay I got accommodations 
at my friend Shockley's — a rich friend, who was within 
call of the camp ground, where my friend Chalmers and I 
retired for lodging. It is a blessing to have able, wise, 
and prudent rulers in the church ; but to my grief, I say 
we have some whose zeal and imprudence go far beyond 
their knowledge ; but, thanks be to God, there are men 
of piety and knowledge to check their precipitancy, or we 
might soon bid farewell to good old Methodism. Glory 
to God, I think it will stand, though encumbered with 
many disagreeables. There are thousands in this country 
deeply pious. The Methodists have the whole business 
to themselves in this country. There is scarcely a minis- 
ter of any other denomination. 

" Monday 7. I had an appointment at Dover to-day 
at three o'clock. We started early this morning, rode 
twenty-two miles, and got in by twelve o'clock. I feel a 
little weary. The church was nearly filled. I discussed 
two heads of doctrine — the lowest and the highest degree 
of Christian experience. Brother Chalmers made the 
application, and we had a precious season. This town 
looks old : in fact, there are very small improvements 
made in any part of this country, except in matters 
of religion. We stayed at Mr. Whitens, brother to Dr. 
White, an old friend. We had a number of my good 
friends to tea. 

" Tuesday 8. To-day I preached at Blackstone's chapel. 
Dined at Ringold's. At three we had a large congregation. 
xAfter speaking more than an hour on the various parts of 
prayer with great freedom, while the power of God was 
graciously displayed, and I was much spent, I asked bro- 
ther Chalmers to speak on the duty and benefit of prayer, 
which I had promised to do if strength permitted. He 
did so in a very pertinent manner, for he is an excellent 
preacher. He began travelling when he was sixteen, 
.about twenty years ago, but has been located several 
j ears. Brother Whitby, a worthy man, where we now 



224 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1809. 

lodge, (who was once a travelling, but is now a local 
preacher,) said, For your encouragement I can tell you 
that under the sermon you preached in our chapel, as you 
went down, a poor sinner was awakened^ who has since 
found pardon, and is now happy in God. 

" Wednesday 9. My appointment is at Chestertown 
in the evening. My good friend Chalmers leaves me this 
morning. As Basset's camp meeting begins to-day, and 
he expects to meet his wife from Baltimore, I have no 
other chance to see my old friend, Dr. Anderson, who is 
very ill from a fall from his carriage. I think it a small 
thing to go twenty-five miles out of my way to see so 
worthy a member of the church, and the fruit of my poor 
little labours more than thirty years ago. I rode twenty- 
five miles, and dined at Chestertown, at brother Harris's, 
In the evening I had the church full of serious hearers, 
and to my agreeable surprise the doctor was among my 
audience. I had a most sweet season among my friends. 
My sermon w^as from Psalm xlviii, 12, 13. 1, I spoke of 
the church's ministry, beauty, and order ; 2, her strength 
and fortitude ; 3, her privileges ; 4, her testimony. 

" Thursday 10. Our worthy brother Burniston accom- 
panied me to the camp ground. 

" Friday 11. A very rainy day. I preached in a large 
tent on the necessity of holiness. Mr. Harris fell under 
the word, cried for mercy, and found peace. He is not 
a member of our church. Brother Chalmers got under 
such a deep travail of soul for holiness, that he fell under 
the power of God, and lay for hours ; and when he came to, 
rejoiced in the perfect love of God. I was requested by 
some of my old friends to call this meeting ; among others 
was Mrs. BrufF and her sister Ward. These holy women 
are full of the perfect love of God. This meeting held 
several hours. I likewise called a meeting in the preachers 5 
tent at the same time ; — the tents rung with the praises of 
God. The poor blacks seemed almost ready to fly. 
There is, nevertheless, a probability we shall have a great 
meeting. Many of our good friends have come from 
Baltimore. I must leave you. This minute I have been 
conversing with Mrs. BrufF ; — -she tells me at the above- 
mentioned meeting three beside Mr. Chalmers were 
brought out, and several led to feel the necessity of holi- 



1811.1 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



225 



ness. My dear love, there is a struggle in the camp, 
I will tell you more when we meet. God bless you 
and yours. I am in the cause of God ; nothing else would 
reconcile me to so long an absence from you. I remember 
you at the throne of grace ;— there also remember me ; — 
I can only stand by grace. While I am writing, prayer, 
praise, and shouting are all around me," 



CHAPTER XVI, 

In the year 1811 Mr. Garrettson was appointed again 
to the New-York district, over which he presided with 
dignity and usefulness four years. He w~as everywhere 
received, both by preachers and people, as a father in the 
gospel, and his word was often attended with power to the 
hearts of his hearers. It was at this time that the writer 
became more intimately acquainted with this venerable 
servant of God ; and still remembers with pleasure and 
gratitude the tenderness with which he was treated by him. 
With what delight have I accompanied him to some of his 
quarterly meetings, and witnessed the devotedness of his 
soul to the service of his divine Master. 

Mr. Garrettson occasionally employed the hours which 
were not otherwise devoted to the services of the sanctuary r 
in writing. Though his publications are by no means 
numerous, yet they are sufficient to speak for him, since 
his voice is hushed in the silence of the grave. 

The first publication was an account of his experience 
and travels, from which copious extracts have been made 
in the first part of this memoir. The second was on the 
evils of slavery, a copy of which I have not been able to 
find. 

It was about this time that he published his sermon 
" On the union of fear, hope, and love, in the believer." 
The object of Mr. Garrettson in this sermon was to show 
how fear, hope, and love, co-exist in the heart of a true 
believer in Christ, balancing and regulating each other. 
" Fear and hope to the soul of a Christian," says he, " are 
like the cork and lead to the net ; the cork keeps it from 
sinking, and the lead from too much floating ; — so it is in 

10* 



226 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1812. 



a spiritual sense ; fear keeps hope from rising into pre- 
sumption, and hope keeps fear from sinking into despair." 
" There is also a union in the souls of believers between 
fear and love. Love without fear would become secure, 
and fear without love would be slavish. Love is the 
dearest companion of filial fear. There is nothing more 
fearful than genuine love, and nothing more loving than 
filial fear. These two graces sweetly draw the soul to 
God. Love is the grace that unites the soul to God, and 
fear keeps it from departing from him."* 

At the General Conference held in the city of Baltimore 
in 1808, on account of the great increase of our work, 
extending over so large a territory* the number of travel- 
ling preachers continually multiplying, it was resolved to 
establish a delegated General Conference, to be composed 
of a certain number of delegates to be elected by the seve- 
ral annual conferences. This measure, so necessary for 
the well-being of the church, had been in contemplation 
by Bishop Asbury and others, elders in the ministry, for 
several years. When it was first proposed at this General 
Conference, it met with a determined opposition, and was 
finally lost by a very considerable majority. Toward the 
close of the conference, however, it was reconsidered, 
and presented in a somewhat modified form, and very 
unanimously adopted. 

The first delegated General Conference was" held in the 
city of New-York, in May, 1812. Among others, as 
delegates from the New-York conference, was Mr. Gar- 
rettson ; and such were the respect and confidence mani- 
fested toward him by his brethren, that at every subsequent 
General Conference he was selected as one of their dele- 
gates. In this character, though he often differed with 
some of his brethren on certain points of church govern- 
ment, he always manifested the most stern and inflexible 
opposition to any innovation upon the established doctrines 
of the church ; at the same time cheerfully bowing to the 
will of the majority on matters of indifference. 

In respect to the question on which the General Confer- 
ence have long been divided in sentiment, namely, whether 
the presiding elders should continue to be appointed as 

* Those who wish to see the whole discourse may find it in the Me- 
thodist Magazine (in which it was republished) for July, 1825, 



1815.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



227 



they now are by the bishops, or be elected by the annual 
conferences, it is well known that Mr. Garrettson was in 
favour of their election by the conferences. This is men- 
tioned merely as a historical fact, without entering into 
the merits of the question, pro or con, or intending even to 
express an opinion in relation to it, any farther than to say 
that, whether right or wrong, no doubt can be entertained 
but that Mr. Garrettson acted from the purest motives, 
an J according to the best dictates of his judgment. 

hi the year 1815 Mr. Garrettson published a Sermon 
which he had preached in John-street church, N. Y., for 
the benefit of the Methodist Charity School. This school 
has been in existence for more than forty years. It is 
designed for the special benefit of the poor children under 
the care of our church, orphans and others, and is sup- 
ported by the voluntary contributions of the community. 
For this purpose a sermon is preached annually in each 
church in the city, and a collection taken up for the benefit 
of the school, at which time the children are present.* 

After stating the objects of the institution, the nature 
of true charity, and the arguments by which the duty is 
enforced, Mr. Garrettson says, "I have brought forward 
these strong testimonials, my beloved friends, to strengthen 
and animate your faith in this glorious work. Call to your 
remembrance the prayers and alms of Cornelius, which 
ascended to heaven as a sweet memorial before the Lord. 
You now have it in your power to bring blessings on your- 
selves, and to entail them on your posterity to the latest 

generation." " You see these tender lambs rising from 

their seats to express their gratitude for what their kind 
benefactors have done for them, and to implore farther 

aid." " You see their little hands stretched out, while 

their eyes are fixed on you, as their fostering fathers and 
mothers, and to all who are willing to reach to them a 

friendly hand." " Brethren, if you want barren souls 

and slender fortunes, give sparingly to the poor ; but if 
you want to be rich in grace, and your ability to do good 
to be increased, then give liberally, accordingly as God 
has bestowed upon you." In this way did Mr. Garrettson. 
plead in behalf of poor children ; and through his and the 
influence of others who have from time to time lent their 
* This school has been .since discontinued 



228 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1816. 



aid to the support of this benevolent institution, it has 
gladdened the heart of many a widowed mother and many 
a helpless orphan. 

At the close of his service as presiding elder of the 
New- York district, in the year 1816, he was again appoint- 
ed as a missionary within the bounds of the New-York 
conference. This appointment was also designed, as is 
believed, to give him an opportunity to travel at large, as 
his inclination, age, and circumstances might dictate ; the 
conference and bishops having full confidence that he 
would employ all his time and talent in the best way he 
could for the glory of God and the good of souls. 

It was during this year that he published " A Letter to 
the Rev. Lyman Beecher, containing animadversions on 
a pamphlet" written by that gentleman, entitled " An Ad- 
dress of the Charitable Society for the Education of Pious 
Young Men for the Ministry of the Gospel." This pamphlet 
of Mr. Beecher gave great offence to most of those deno- 
minations of Christians not connected with that charitable 
society. To awaken the spirit of liberality among Chris- 
tians for the support of that institution, Mr. Beecher gave a 
most pitiful description of the spiritual and moral desolations 
of our country, the paucity of " competent ministers" to 
afford moral and religious instruction to the people ; and 
likewise made a powerful appeal to the community, to in- 
duce them to exert themselves by every possible means, 
and especially by pecuniary contributions, to assist in 
educating and sending forth these " indigent, pious young 
men." 

It was generally thought, and I believe very justly, that 
Mr. Beecher, in his descriptions of the spiritual destitutions 
of many parts of our country, was not fully borne out by 
facts, and that in his estimate of the number of " qualified 
ministers," he had excluded nearly all except those of his 
own denomination. He calculated the population of the 
country at that time to be 8,000,000, and says, that from 
the best information he could obtain, there were not over 
3,000 " educated ministers of the gospel in our land ; 
leaving a deficiency of 5,000 ministers, and a population 
of 5,000,000, destitute of proper religious instruction :" — 
that is, on the ratio of one minister for every 1 ,000 of the 
population, which he supposes to be necessary to afford 



1816.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETT SOX. 



229 



that quantum of religious instruction which the wants of 
society demand. 

It was said above that it was supposed that Mr. Beecher 
designed to exclude nearly all other denominations except 
those of his own order — meaning thereby the Con°frega 
tional. Presbyterian, and Dutch Reformed orders — from 
being competent to preach the gospel. According to the 
best data within our reach, there were not less than 6,000 
ministers at that time belonging to the Presbyterian, 
Congregational. Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, Baptist, and 
Protestant Episcopal Churches ; and allowing only 2,000 
for the Methodists and all other sects, which it is believed 
is very considerably below the actual number, we had 
even then one minister for every one thousand inhabitants. 
From this computation it will appear that the supposition 
is fully sustained ; at least there were at that time not less 
than 3,000 ministers belonging to the three denominations 
of Presbyterians, Congregationaiists, and Dutch Reformed, 
all of which hold fast the distinguishing doctrines of Cal- 
vinism. 

Allowing the accuracy of these remarks, what could 
have been Mr. Beecher's design in sounding the note of 
alarm on such a high key I Did he not mean to insinuate 
among his brethren of Xew-England, to whom the Address 
was especially directed, that all other ministers must be 
superseded, as not being qualified to impart religious 
instruction ? It is not intended to impeach the motives of 
the author of this Address. Such is the power of prejudice, 
operating under the impulse of strong local feelings, that 
he might have persuaded himself that the salvation of the 
nation depended upon a well-organized Calvinistic ministry, 
marching forward in firm phalanx against the host of 
Arminians, and all others whom they might consider to be 
heterodox in their religious opinions. Allowing this to 
have been the case, the means resorted to on this occasion 
were highly proper. But if any choose to say that this 
was not the belief of Mr. Beecher and his associates, then 
they must allow that the assumptions contained in their Ad- 
dress were entirely unwarranted by facts, — that a false and 
highly exaggerated description was Given of the moral and 
spiritual destitution of our country. 

The inevitable result of this investigation is this : — l.If 



230 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1816. 



Mr. Beecher's statement, that there were but "3,000 com- 
petent religious instructers" at that time, were true, none 
were considered such except Calvinistic ministers, and not 
even all of these, for most of the Baptists are such. 2. By- 
supplying the deficiency of 5,000 ministers with such as 
Mr. Beecher had described, then all other ministers must 
be put down as incompetent to instruct the people in reli- 
gious things. 3. To accomplish this object, entirely sec- 
tarian in its character, the Address was written and circu- 
lated, in which it was stated that — 

" To produce such a combination and such efforts, the 
wretched state of our country must be made known. The 
information contained in this Address may, with propriety, 
it is believed, be communicated on the Sabbaths to all our 
worshipping assemblies, and the investigation commenced 
in it, with propriety be continued, until a regular and 
minute account can be given of the religious state of our 
land. The newspaper, the tract, and magazines, must dis- 
close to our slumbering countrymen their danger. The 
press must groan in the communication of our wretched- 
ness ; and from every pulpit in the land the trumpet must 
sound long and loud. The nation must be awaked to save 
itself by its own energies, or we are undone !" 

Such was the language of the Address. Such were the 
mighty efforts to be made to annihilate the influence of all 
the ministers in the land, but such as should be marshalled 
under the Geneva standard, and answer to the watch- word 
taught in the theological school under the charge of this 
charitable society. Is it therefore any wonder that other 
denominations took the alarm ? 

Among those whose zeal was kindled on this occasion, 
Mr. Garrettson showed himself in the foremost ranks. 
Excepting the bishops of our church, perhaps no man 
living was better qualified from his personal observation, 
to make a true estimate of the religious state of the coun- 
try. For more than forty years he had travelled in various 
parts of the United States, and preached the everlasting 
gospel with a rare success. Believing that Mr. Beecher's 
representations were calculated to make an erroneous im- 
pression on the public mind ; that he unjustly depreciated 
the talent, the piety, and usefulness of ministers of other 
denominations, and that his remarks tended to promote a 



1816.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



231 



spirit of sectarian zeal incompatible with those liberal views 
and feelings inculcated in the gospel of Jesus ; Mr. Gar- 
rettson addressed himself directly to Mr. Beecher on these 
subjects, in a printed letter of 28 pages, 12 mo. 

He commences by telling Mr. Beecher, that he had 
" been endeavouring to promote the Redeemer's kingdom 
through various parts of this continent for more than forty 
years," and that during that time he had witnessed the dis- 
plays of the convincing and- regenerating power of God 
from one end of the country to the other. But it " appears 
to me," says he, " that you and your associates have given 
a very unfair and uncharitable representation of the religious 
state of our nation, whether designedly or for want of bet- 
ter information, I leave for your readers to determine." 

The remainder of the first part of the letter is devoted 
to the refutation of what were considered to be Mr. Beech- 
er's injurious imputations of other ministers ; but the author 
confines himself principally to the vindication of his own 
brethren of the Methodist ministry, leaving it to others to 
answer for themselves. The following paragraph will show 
how adroitly and successfully Mr. Garrettson meets his an- 
tagonist in one item of his calculations : — 

" You have placed your church in Connecticut on the 
highest scale among the several states in the Union. You 
have given a short history of it, and have, in your way, 
prostrated the southern part of our country. Probably you 
are a native of Connecticut ; I was born in Maryland ; 
and as you have, among other southern states, undertaken 
to degrade the religious character of the people of this 
state, I am willing to compare them with those of your 
state. I am well acquainted with almost every part of 
both ; and as you have fixed your eye on the Congrega- 
tional Church in Connecticut, I shall fix mine on the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in Maryland. 

" You say that you have upward of 200 congregations, 
averaging 50 members each, making about 10,000 church 
members. I have looked over our church records, and 
find that we have in Maryland* more than 25,000 church 

* Mr. Beecher had represented the state of Maryland as being in a 
most deplorable condition. After having said that Virginia, with a 
population of 974,622, needed 900 ministers in addition to the 60 it 
already had to make up the one for every 1,000 of the inhabitants, he says, 



232 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1816. 



members, who have the pure word of God preached, and 
the sacraments duly administered." This certainly was a 
triumphant refutation of Mr. Beecher's statement. 

In addition to its being the professed object of this 
Address to awaken the slumbering energies of this nation 
to the religious state of the people, it was believed by 
many, and indeed I believe by xiost who read the Address, 
that it had a political object to accomplish. This belief, 
in connection with the general movements of the Congre- 
gational Churches in New-England, was founded on the 
following passage. After intimating that our general 
government was very defective as to its provisions for its 
own permanency, the Address says : — 

" A remedy must be applied to this vital defect of our 
national organization. But what shall that remedy be ? 
There can be but one. The consolidation of the state 
governments would make a despotism. . But the prevalence 
of pious, intelligent, enterprising ministers, through the 
nation, at the ratio of one for a thousand, would establish 
schools, and academies, and colleges, and habits, and in- 
stitutions of homogeneous influence. These would produce 
a sameness of views, and feelings, and interests, which 
would lay the foundation of our empire on a rock. Religion 
is the central attraction which must supply the deficiency 
of political affinity and interest. Religion is the bond of 
charity, which in storms must undergird the ship," meaning 
evidently the national ship. 

Whether Mr. Beecher really designed to produce a 
political revolution, by effecting a change in the national 
constitution, or merely to produce such homogeneous'! ess 
of views, and feelings, and concentration of action as ; ould 
enable those who should be under the influence of these 
views and feelings to control the national elections and coun- 
cils, we pretend not to determine. It is, however, manifest, 
I think, to all dispassionate minds, that could he place one 
minister of his own order over every one thousand of the 

" Of the state of Maryland we cannot speak particularly. But from 
general information on the subject, we have no reason to believe the 
supply any better than that of Virginia ;" that is, as 60 to 900. He 
must therefore have considered either that the Methodists were not 
worthy to be included among Christian ministers and members of the 
church, or otherwise greatly depreciated the religious character of the 
state of Maryland. 



1816.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON, 



233 



inhabitants of these states — and his calculations went to 
that object — for by including ministers of all other orders, 
there was more than that proportion even then. — they might 
exert a most powerful influence on the national legislature. 
At any rate, many serious people fully believed this was 
one object of the Address. That this was the opinion of 
Mr. Garrettson is evident from the following sentence : — 
" The glimmering light beaming through your performance 
leads us to suppose that as you are the privileged order in 
the eastern states, so you wish to be through the whole 
Union." Whatever may be thought of the merits of this 
controversy, such was the general burst of indignation 
manifested from almost all quarters against the assumptions 
of the Address, the evident proscriptions it uttered against 
other denominations of Christians, that the friends of Air. 
Beecher called in and destroyed the Address.* It was, 
however, reprinted by those who were inimical to its prin- 
ciples, thinking that probably the most effectual way to 
prevent them from being carried into effect was to have 
them generally understood. 

Air. Garrettson finishes his strictures in the following 
words : — " I hope in future that you and your associates 
will be more wise and pious. You will then be less self- 
confident, and will rind it easier to exercise Christian 
charity toward those who do not think in every particular 
as you do. I have during my ministry laboured for peace, 
and I desire as far as it is admissible to have a charitable 
feeling for all. It was with a degree of reluctance that I 
undertook to write upon this occasion ; but a sense of duty 
overruled my inclination. I desire neither the honours, 
riches, nor pleasures of the world, but only to be a follower 
of the Lord Jesus, whom I have loved from an early part 

* But though the Address was called in, the principles set forth and 
advocated in it have never, so far as I have understood, been disavowed, 
either by Mr. Beecher or any of his friends. Had this been done, so 
much notice would not have been taken of this affair in this place. On the 
contrary, subsequent measures have only tended to strengthen the belief 
expressed by Mr. Garrettson and others, that something more than a 
mere desire to propagate pure religion had mingled itself with the coun- 
cils of that society, and those who were pledged for its support. Sorry 
indeed should we be to attribute any improper motive to any body of 
men ; but we can no more close our eyes to the history of events than 
we can refrain from rejoicing that the " Lord God omnipotent reigneth,' 3 
and granteth to his people rest in this happy land. 



234 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1817. 



of my life. Indeed for more than fifty years I have studied 
the Holy Scriptures with pleasure." All who were ac- 
quainted with the author of the above extracts, w r ill readily 
perceive that it is perfectly characteristic of his manner of 
writing, as well as expressive of the prevailing sentiment 
of his heart. 

At the conference of 1817, which was held in Middle- 
bury, Vermont, Mr. Garrettson was returned as a super- 
numerary. This appointment by no means pleased him , as 
he fully believed himself competent to do effective service. 
The appointment, however, was made by the conference 
with a view to his accommodation, that he might be at liberty 
to labour when and where he might think he would be 
most useful ; and the assurance of this respectful and 
friendly feeling gave him satisfaction. 

It is manifest that his growing infirmities made it some- 
what difficult for him to travel very extensively. Blessed 
with a pious and agreeable family, possessing every thing 
calculated to make retirement or domestic life desirable 
and happy, Mr. Garrettson had every inducement which an 
indulgent Providence could afford to remain at home. Yet 
in the midst of all these enjoyments, he sighed for another 
sort of repose, for that repose which resulted from a conscious- 
ness of having done his best to bring sinners into the fold 
of Christ. " My mind,'* says he, " is after precious souls." 

To gratify this prevailing desire of his heart, after 
remaining for a feAV weeks in the circl r f domestic and 
social enjoyment at his mansion in Rhinebeck, and preach- 
ing as occasion offered in the chapel, in company with 
Mrs. Garrettson and his daughter, he s^: off on a tour 
to the north, " hoping," says he, " I might do some little 
good to the churches." Leaving Mrs. Garrettson at Kin- 
derhook, at the house of his friend, Judge Van Ness, whose 
pious consort formed an agreeable associate for Mrs. Gar- 
rettson, his daughter accompanied him to Schenectady. 
They stayed with Dr. Nott, the president of Union Col- 
lege. " This institution," says Mr. Garrettson, " is blessed 
with a worthy president and professors, and will, I trust, 
be a blessing to society, and give much pleasure to its 
patrons." Here the Methodists, though few in number, 
and far from being generally wealthy 3 had recently, by 
great exertion, built a convenient house of worship, in 



1817.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



235 



which Mr. Garrettson preached with lively satisfaction, 
From thence they returned to Troy, and put up at the 
house of the Hon. George Tibbetts, whose hospitable 
mansion is delightfully situated on the side of a sloping 
hill ascending from the eastern part of the city, denomi- 
nated Mount Ida. On the Sabbath Mr. Garrettson preached 
in the Methodist church in this city, morning, afternoon, 
and evening, to an attentive congregation; and " truly," 
says he, " it was a good day." He remarks, that when 
he first visited this place about thirty years before, there 
were only a few scattering houses, and no Methodist soci- 
ety ; but that now he was rejoiced to find a flourishing 
Httle city, in which were four houses of worship, and not 
less than three hundred members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. What seemed to add to his religious enjoy- 
ment was the catholic and friendly spirit manifested by 
the several religious denominations toward each other. 
On the 30th of June they all returned in safety, blessing 
and praising God, to their peaceful home. 

After his return he makes the following reflections, 
which perhaps some whom they might concern may read 
to their benefit : — "The great ones have set themselves 
against the work of reformation. I have laboured to do 
them good ; but ail my efforts seem like water spilt on the 
ground, which cannot be gathered up. They do not openly 
oppose ; if they did, perhaps I might have more hope. If 
I would let them alone they doubtless would bear with me ; 
but how can I, as a messenger of God, let them sleep 
quietly over the pit of destruction !" 

The most part of the summer months of this year he 
spent about home, preaching only on the Sabbaths, except 
a tour through some parts of Connecticut, and some visits 
to New-York, Poughkeepsie, and a few other places in 
the state. During this time he says, " I have had sweet 
seasons, in reading, writing, and family devotion ; I feel 
that God is good, and I will praise him." He observes, 
" From the 20th of June to the 9th of December I have 
travelled about 1,000 miles, and preached whenever and 
wherever I could find an opening." 

Under date of Dec. 9, 1817, he says, " Being pressed 
in spirit, though a great cross for me to leave my precious 
wife and daughter, I entered into an examination in regard 



236 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SOX. [1818. 



to my motives in leaving home — whether duty called me 
in my 66th year to leave a quiet, plentiful habitation, and 
a most agreeable family, to encounter the cold and storms 
of winter, at my own expense; — but having made up my 
mind a little before sunset, I bade adieu to my family, went 
on board the steamboat, and by sunrise next morning- 
found myself in the city of New- York, one hundred miles 
on my journey southward." Staying only one night in the 
city, the next day by steam and stage he went to Trenton, 
where he spent the Sabbath very agreeably, preaching to 
crowded congregations. From thence he passed on to 
Burlington, where he preached to a very full house, and 
lodged with his old friend, Mr. Stirling. Of him Mr. 
Garrettson observes, "He is a very old man, confined to 
his bed, appears innocent and happy, and has been a great 
support to the cause of Methodism in this place." On 
Tuesday he rode to Philadelphia, and put up at Mr. Lemuel 
Green's, a located minister, who had travelled and preached 
until he was worn down, but whose Christian hospitality 
invited the servants of God under his peaceful roof. He 
remained in this city preaching to large and attentive 
audiences in the several churches, visited many of his old 
friends, with whom he enjoyed sweet fellowship, until the 
6th of -January, 1818, when he took the stage for Wil- 
mington, and on the following evening preached to the 
people with much satisfaction. He passed thence to 
Abington, where he spent the Sabbath, preached three 
times to the people, and then went on to his native place. 
Thursday 15th, he says, ' ; I preached within a mile of the 
spot where I was born : they were chiefly young people and 
distant relations. They seem," says he, " to be almost an 
entirely new race of people, there being few in the congre- 
gation whom I could recognise as my former acquaintance. 
I fear," he continues, " that my native county makes but 
little improvement, and that too much dissipation prevails, 
among the young people especially, for their own good 
either in temporal or spiritual enjoyments. Though the 
society at Boosbyhill was not as large as it was forty-five 
years since, I was comforted under the reflection that it 
had been a nursery from which many plants had been 
taken, some to heaven, and others transplanted to some of 
the new settlements, where they have grown into stately 



1818.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



237 



trees of righteousness. Here they have established them- 
selves, and been the means of good to the souls of others. 
Thus the work spreads." Here he was cheered with an 
account of an aged couple, Mr. Herbert and his wife, the 
first fruits of Methodism in this place ; the woman had 
recently departed to glory in her ninetieth year, and the 
man still lived in the fear of God in the ninety-fourth year 
of his age. Here also he preached in what was called the 
Bush Church, the second Methodist church which was 
built on the continent of America, and which had been 
standing nearly fifty years. Taking an occasion from the 
decayed state of the church, and the reflection that so many 
of the old members had gone to their reward, and also fear- 
ing that the rising generation were not so zealous for God 
as they should be, he cried aloud from these words, " Who 
will rise up, and rebuild the temple ?" After which, assisted 
by Mr. Toy, an aged minister, he administered the sacra- 
ment of the Lord's supper to about sixty communicants, 
with whom he had a solemn and profitable time. 

Having finished his labours in these parts, and cleared, 
as he humbly hoped, his skirts of their blood, he went 
thence to the city of Baltimore, where he was much re- 
freshed to find a glorious work of religion going forward. 
With all the vigour of youth he entered into this work, 
catching, and enkindling in the hearts of others, the fire 
of divine love. He preached in the several churches in 
the city, morning, afternoon, and evening ; attended prayer 
meetings and love-feasts ; visited from house to house, and 
in the midst of all enjoyed great peace of mind and health 
of body. Though he could not approve of all the exercises 
which were tolerated, thinking that in some things extrava- 
gances might have been beneficially checked, yet he 
rejoiced greatly at witnessing such manifest displays of 
the awakening and regenerating power of divine grace. 
After remaining in this city about two weeks, during 
which time he preached no less than fourteen sermons, 
he took his departure for the north, passed through Abing- 
ton, Philadelphia, Trenton, and New-York, in all which 
places he stopped long enough -to " scatter some of the 
good seed of the kingdom," and in the latter part of March, 
after an absence of about four months, he once more saluted 
his beloved family in peace and health. 



238 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1819, 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Mr. Garrettsox's relation to the conference, though 
not altogether such as he wished, remained unchanged, 
and he continued to employ his time and talent in that 
way and in those places which he judged might best pro- 
mote the good of the church. The New-York conference, 
which was this year, 1S19, held in the city of Trov, was 
attended with some very serious difficulties, originating 
from the state of affairs in the city of New- York. These 
difficulties, which terminated in a secession of a number of 
members with a preacher at their head, were accompanied 
by measures which made it necessary to bring the affair 
before the conference ; but though some collisions existed 
among some of the preachers in relation to this unhappy 
business, in which conflicting interests and feelings were 
enlisted, it terminated as peaceably as could have been 
expected under the circumstances. 

To these things Air. Garrettson alludes in his journal 
with much feeling. Being a man of peace, and having 
the interests of the church much at heart, he was always 
deeply affected whenever any thing occurred to disturb 
the harmony of brethren, or to impede the progress of 
true religion. But though a momentary gloom was spread 
over the church in the city of New- York, the clouds were 
gradually dispersed, truth finally prevailed over error, and 
great peace has since rested on those who loved our Je- 
rusalem. 

After remaining at home a short time, on his return from 
the conference, Mr. Garrettson set off on a tour for the 
north. He visited Kinderhook, attended a camp meeting 
at Niskayuna, a quarterly meeting at Troy, and preached 
in Pittstown, Lansingburg, Schenectady, and Albany, and 
likewise at a quarterly meeting near Spencertown, and 
then returned to his beloved family at Rhinebeck. " Dur- 
ing this tour," he says, " of about two weeks, I had great 
sweetness in preaching the word, which I did once or 
more at every place I visited. I am now." he adds, 
" officiating: in my little congregation at Rhinebeck. Here 
I am pleasantly situated, an agreeable family with every 
thing necessary to make life desirable. This makes it the 
greater cross for me to leave home." 



1819.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



239 



On August 18, having engaged a young man to accom- 
pany him, he took his departure for an eastern tour. He 
first, however, passed down through Poughkeepsie, over 
the highlands to Peekskill, to Tarrytown, in all which 
places he stopped and preached, and to the White Plains, 
where he preached on Sabbath morning, and in the after- 
noon at New-Rochelle. " I am now," he says, "in a 
part of Mr. Beecher's moral wilderness. We think, how- 
ever, that the gospel has had a glorious spread in this part 
of the country. Within eight miles of the place where I 
now am we can count six or seven Methodist churches, 
where the word and ordinances of God are administered, 
and where many persons of undoubted piety assemble for 
the worship of God." On Monday he rode into the city of 
New-York, and put up with his old friend, Mr. George 
Suckley. He observes, " I could have shed tears over the 
society on account of their trying situation," alluding to 
the unhappy division .before mentioned, which was now 
near its consummation. 

The Saturday following he left the city on his way 
eastward. He passed on through Rye, Stamford, Fair- 
field, Stratford, New-Haven, to Middletown, where he 
spent the Sabbath, preaching to a full house of attentive 
hearers, morning, afternoon, and evening, the last sermon 
being on the certainty of the resurrection of the body. 
Thence he passed on to Hebron, where he was happy to 
find a revival of religion, and to be comfortably situated 
in the pious family of Mr. Burroughs. On Tuesday he 
went to New-London, where he enjoyed much of the 
divine presence in secret devotion in the house of God.* 
This was his first visit to this place. He remained here until 
Thursday, preaching to a crowded house every evening. 
On Wednesday evening he gave information that, as he 
expected to depart next day, he would preach at sunrise 
on the doctrine of Christian perfection. Accordingly he 
says, "I arose about four o'clock in the morning, and after 
spending more than an hour in retirement, I repaired to the 
church at the hour appointed, and preached to about two. 
hundred attentive hearers. I enjoyed a solemn, sweet 

* It was a common practice with Mr. Garrettson. whenever he first 
visited a place where there was a church, to repair thither at the earliest 
opportunity for private prayer. 



240 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1819. 



season, while endeavouring to water the souls of God's 
people." 

After these solemn exercises were over, and taking some 
refreshment, he journeyed about four miles, to a Mr. Miller's, 
whose daughters and one son had recently experienced a 
change of heart, during a revival in New-London and its 
vicinity. The father, seventy-eight years of age, though 
friendly, made no profession of religion. " With him," 
says Mr. Garrettson, " I conversed on the subject of reli- 
gion, congratulated him on the happy change wrought in 
his children, and urged him to seek the same blessing ; I 
endeavoured to obviate the common objection he made, that 
he could not change his own heart, by remarking that 
although Jesus Christ had merited every thing for us by 
his passion and death, yet we may not expect to be saved 
unless we seek by repentance, prayer, and faith. After 
spending several hours with this kind family, and praying 
with them, we took our departure, and rode ten miles to 
Norwich, and preached in the church, which was nearly 
filled. After service a pious woman asked me if any one 
had requested me to explain the Lord's prayer. I answered 
in the negative. She then informed me that she had prayed 
to God that I might be led to make that prayer the subject 
of my discourse. I answered, that when I went into the 
pulpit, as well as before, it lay with much weight on my 
mind, so much so that I dare not refuse taking it as the 
foundation of my sermon. She received it as an answer 
to prayer. She had been particularly exercised on the 
petition, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It 
seems that her husband was under an impression that it 
was his duty to become a travelling preacher, and her mind 
was deeply exercised in respect to consenting to give him 
up to the work." While in this place the stationed preach- 
er gave him a reviving account of the spread of God's work 
in the conversion of souls, which had commenced at camp 
meetings. It had extended gloriously through several of 
the neighbouring towns, and some hundreds had been 
brought to the knowledge of the truth. 

Having finished his work here, he passed into the state 
of Rhode Island, and was much annoyed in one place 
where he preached with the Socinians. With the Soci- 
nian doctrine Mr. Garrettson held no fellowship. Perhaps 



1819.1 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETT'S ON. 



241 



his zeal never showed itself more intensely on any sub- 
ject than when he came in contact with a system to sup- 
port which, the real divinity, the proper, unoriginated, and 
eternal deity of Christ, must be called in question. His 
tract on this subject, which was published in the Metho- 
dist Magazine, and by the Tract Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, evinces the deep interest he felt in the 
support of this cardinal doctrine of Christianity. He could 
not, therefore, but behold w T ith sorrow and indignation the 
ravages which the Socinian scheme was now, and had been 
for some time past, making among the churches in New- 
England, particularly in the metropolis of Massachusetts, 
as well as in some parts of Rhode Island. 

After preaching with much satisfaction in Providence, 
both in the Methodist church, and by request, in the one 
occupied by the Rev. Mr, Wilson, a pious Presbyterian 
clergyman, Mr. Garrettson rode forward to Bristol, where 
he preached to a large congregation on the doctrine of 
Christian perfection, a favourite theme with him. Here 
he found a large society of pious members, whose devout 
behaviour and delightful singing pleased him much. Of 
the bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, residing 
in this place, Mr. Garrettson speaks in terms of high 
commendation, as a man deeply devoted to the interests 
of Christ, and expresses an ardent hope that he with his 
clergy and the Methodist preachers, between whom there 
appears no difference in their doctrinal views, will be able 
to check the progress of the Socinian heresy, and stem 
the tide of Hopkinsian refinement on the liberty of the human 
will, or their metaphysical speculations concerning a moral 
inability and natural ability. From Bristol he went on to 
Warren, and preached on " Now the just shall live by faith ; 
but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure 
in him." Among others the Unitarian minister made one of 
his hearers. May he not have heard in vain ! "I feel," says 
he, "for this loving society." In Somerset he also preach- 
ed to an attentive congregation with much satisfaction. 

He then passed on to Easton, thence to Dorchester, 
and thence through Boston, in company with the Rev. 
Elijah Hedding and wife to Lynn, where he preached on 
a short notice to a large congregation, on "Put ye in the 
sickle, for the harvest is ripe." 

11 



242 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR R E T T S th 



usm. 



Mr. Garrettson gives the following account of the rise 
and progress of the Methodist church in the town of 
Dorchester. He says, " I lodged with a Mr. Otheman, 
a pious, wealthy gentleman from France, who a few years 
since removed from Boston to this place. Some time 
previously to his leaving Boston, he had embraced reli- 
gion, and had become a member of our church. After 
removing to Dorchester, he invited preaching at his house. 
Though but few attended at first, and much opposition 
was excited, so much so that the thoughtless multitude 
frequently stoned the house, the Lord soon began to work 
on the hearts of the people, and in a short time a con- 
siderable society was established. Soon after, more room 
being wanted, Mr. Otheman built a handsome church at 
his own expense. It was in this house that I preached." 

From Lynn Mr. Garrettson went to Cambridge, where 
he lodged with his old friend, Mr. Black, under whose 
hospitable roof, and in the society of whose pious family*, 
he felt himself much at home. The Sunday following he 
preached three sermons in the city of Boston, to very large 
congregations. From thence he journeyed through the 
several towns, in most of which he officiated, to Hartford, 
where he preached with great freedom. Sunday he 
preached in Goshen (Connecticut) in the morning, and 
in the afternoon in Cornwall, and on the Tuesday fol- 
lowing he was permitted once more to embrace his family 
in health and peace. " In this tour," says he, " I was 
absent six weeks, travelled 600 miles, and preached 
about 60 sermons. I thank God for his presence, which 
was with me every day. I do not wish to be employed in 
a better work." 

We have already seen, that notwithstanding Mr. Gar- 
rettson enjoyed at home every thing that could make 
domestic life agreeable — that though age and its attendant 
infirmities might plead a reasonable excuse for his remain- 
ing in such a pleasant retreat, free from the cares and 
fatigues of travelling — yet the ardour of his soul would 
prompt him to break through all these restraints, and 
brave the inclemency of seasons, contemning equally the 
indulgences of this life and the peltings of the storms, 
when they stood in the way of his duty to God and 
man. 



1820.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



243 



Accordingly, in the latter part of December, in trie 
year 1820, we find him bidding adieu to his family again, 
for another tour to the south. As he travelled over nearly 
the same ground as that traced out in a former chapter, 
passed through similar exercises of mind, and preached 
with equal ardour, displaying for his old friends and near 
relatives the same affectionate attachment, as well as 
evincing the same devotedness to the cause of his divine 
Master, it is thought not necessary to give a detailed 
account of this journey. The following reflections, how- 
ever, which he wrote down in Philadelphia, under date of 
Jan. 21, will be read by every pious reader with satisfaction. 
It seems that before he left New- York, walking out one 
evening, he slipped down in the street, and severely bruised 
his leg. Notwithstanding he was able to pursue his jour- 
ney to Philadelphia, when he arrived there, his leg was 
so much swollen that he was obliged to keep his room, 
and to put himself under the care of a physician. To 
Dr. Sargeant he expresses much gratitude for his kind 
attentions. While confined here, unable for active service, 
he thus writes : — 

" All is right, being in the order of God. He knows 
what is best for his creatures. For three Sabbaths I have 
been deprived of the privileges of the sanctuary ; but while 
thus solitary, I have been contemplating on the wonders 
of redeeming love, and the various beauties of the sacred 
Scriptures. redemption ! how deep ! How unsearch- 
able the Deity ! Eternally existing in three hypostases, 
yet one glorious, incomprehensible Deity, co-equal, con- 
substantial, and co-eternal ! 

" During the week past I have had a great travail of 
.soul. My exercises were various, but the most weighty 
concerned myself. I saw indeed in God infinite perfec- 
tion ; but in myself merely I am but a fallen speck of the 
creation. I inquired what motive could have led me at 
this period of my life, and at this inclement season of the 
year, to leave my quiet home. Was it for money ? No. 
Was it for ease or honour ? No. Was it because I thought 
myself a great preacher ? No. I was, as I believed, 
called of God, forty-six years ago, to be a minister of 
Jesus Christ ; and the blessed God has frequently sug- 
gested to me that he had called me for life, or as long as 



244 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1820 



I should be able to work in his vineyard. I did some 
years since plead with the Lord that. I was growing old 
and infirm, and begged that I might be permitted to stay 
at home, and labour there occasionally as I was able. 
The blessed God restored me to my hearing almost as 
perfectly as ever, strengthened my intellect, renewed me 
in soul and body, and told me I must go and do his work. 
To be sure it is a great cross for me to leave one of the 
most agreeable families with which a man can be blessed ; 
but for Christ's sake I can stagger under even this cross,, 
and cheerfully cast in my mite to promote the interests of 
his kingdom." 

Here is the true secret whence originated that restless- 
ness of spirit whenever he had been long at home. He 
felt that the vows of his God were upon him, and that he 
must perform them. Often when I have been favoured 
with a visit to his friendly and peaceful mansion, have I 
witnessed, even in the midst of every thing calculated to 
make life desirable, the anxiety of his mind to be in the 
field, labouring for his Lord and Master ; and I verily be- 
lieve that he enjoyed himself far better in an humble cot- 
tage on coarse fare, when thus employed in the Lord's 
vineyard, especially if he could have one or two of his 
brethren in the ministry with him, whom he always loved 
with the tenderest affection, than he otherwise could, sur- 
rounded w T ith all that this world can afford. This work 
was the aliment of his soul, it being " his meat and his 
drink to do his Master's will," as a public servant of the 
church. 

As a proof of the high estimation in which his labours 
were held by the citizens of Philadelphia, we may remark, 
that unknown to him, the official members of the churchy 
appointed a committee to wait on him, and request his 
longer continuance with them. To w 7 hich he replied, " I 
receive the voice of the church as the voice of God to 
me, and therefore agree to remain a few weeks longer." 

To the same fact, the following letter, directed to Mrs, 
Garrettson, w T ill bear testimony : — 

" Dear Sister, — We accept with much esteem the 
tender yourself and daughter have been pleased to make 
us in your Christian respects. 

" Your good husband has been detained among us, for 



1821.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



245 



some time, partly by affliction, and partly by a general or 
official request. Some of us see, or think we see, a pro- 
vidence in his affliction. It opened the way in part for his 
useful labour among us, which possibly might not have been 
the case had he passed through on his original plan. He 
will now leave us. His leg has got well, and he has deli- 
vered his message to thousands ; many of whom, we trust 5 
in the embrace of the truth, will praise God in time and 
eternity for his Christian visit. W e have, with others, 
strove to make his situation as agreeable as was conveni- 
ently in our power, and have been blessed in having him 
with us under our roof. Many thousands of precious ves- 
sels has Jesus scattered through this vale of tears, of whom 
we now know nothing ; but he will bring them with him, 
when he ' comes to be glorified in his saints, and in all 
those who look for his appearing.' 

" Please accept in return, a reciprocity of our Christian 
esteem ; and make acceptable a tender of our love to your 
dear daughter. Believe us in simplicity, 

" Dear sister, affectionately, 

" Wm. and Mary Chandler." 

After recovering in some measure from his lameness, and 
preaching several times in the different churches in the city 
of Philadelphia, he went thence to Baltimore, to the East- 
ern Shore of Maryland, &c, everywhere being received 
as a father in the gospel preaching to overflowing congre- 
gations, until April 26, 1821, when he returned to the city 
of New-York, where he spent a day or two, and then ar- 
rived once more at Rhinebeck, after an absence of a little 
more that four months. On finding himself again in his 
domestic circle, he says, " Lord, how shall I praise thee 
for thy loving kindness to me, thy poor, unworthy servant!" 

It seems that during his absence there had commenced 
a gracious revival of religion in Rhinebeck. This was 
most cheering news to him. " Thank God," says he, " a 
great change has taken place here within five or six weeks. 
About fifty have joined the church, and the greater pro- 
portion of them profess experimental religion, most of 
whom are young people. Our little church is crowded 
with attentive hearers, and if the work continues we must 
enlarge it. The blessed God began and carried on this 



246 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1822-3. 



work in his own way, and the stationed preacher and seve- 
ral of the most gifted members in prayer and exhortation 
were engaged as workers together with God. Frequently 
the meetings continued until twelve o'clock at night, and 
sometimes until two o'clock in the morning. 1 have met 
with them almost every night in the week, and have no 
doubt of the genuineness of the Avork." 

The harmony of those who were the subject of this work 
was somewhat disturbted by the introduction of a spirit of 
proselytism to the peculiar sentiments of the Anabaptists. 
This led Mr. Garrettson once more into the field of con- 
troversy ; and in a sermon he undertook a defence of infant 
baptism, in order to prevent the young converts from being 
drawn aside by the efforts of those who insisted on adult 
baptism by immersion as the only gospel mode. This 
had the desired effect, and the good work continued to 
prosper. The quarterly meeting, which was attended on 
the 26th and 27th, was a time of great power, and " 1 trust," 
says he, " much good was done." 

On Monday he took the steamboat for Troy, in order 
to attend the conference. " We had," says Mr. Garrett- 
son, " an agreeable time through the whole session, with 
the exception of feeling much sorrow for two members 
whom we were obliged to expel. I fear poor J. C. is gone 
for ever. how awful ! A professed labourer in our 
Lord's vineyard for more than twenty years, finally dis- 
graced by his ow r n evil conduct, and cast off. Thus the 
cause of Christ suffers." 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

I do not find any particular account in the papers left 
by Mr. Garrettson of his exercises and travels for the years 
1822 and 1823. It is, however, well known that he held 
on his way, in the same undeviating course of exemplary 
piety, and, as far as his growing infirmities would permit, 
in the active services of the sanctuary. 

It was during this interval that he was very active in 
building a house of worship at Rhinebeck. It will be re- 
•collected that in the preceding chapter, when speaking 



1824.1 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETT SON.. 



-of the revival then prevailing in that place, he remarked 
that if it continued, they must have a larger house to ac- 
commodate the hearers. This was soon found to be the 
fact ; and Mr. Garrettson heartily engaged in the work, 
^contributing largely himself, and ceased not until it was 
accomplished. Such a work was not only needed, but 
very befitting the exertions of one who expected at no 
distant period to be an inhabitant of that " house not 
made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 

Having been elected a delegate to the General Confer- 
ence to be held in the city of Baltimore in the year 1824, 
in company with Mrs. Garrettson and his daughter he left 
home in the month of March, came to the city of New- 
York, where he remained about three weeks, labouring in 
the city, and in Brooklyn, and then, April 1, in -company 
with Mr. Reece, and some others, he took his departure 
for Philadelphia. Here he lodged with his friend, Dr. 
Sargeant. He remained in the city, visiting his old friends., 
and preaching in the several churches with much feeling 
and satisfaction, until Monday the 12th, when he went on 
to Wilmington, Del., where he preached the next day to a 
full house, and " God," says he, ;i was with us of .a truth." 

On leaving Wilmington for Elkton, he says, " A young 
countryman and his wife took the back seat, paying no 
respect to age or any thing else, so that I had to ride on 
the front seat with my back toward the driver, which so 
fatigued me that I had to remain a day at Elkton to rest. 
This, however, gave me the opportunity of an interview 
with the Rev. Mr. Drake, an aged, intelligent minister, 
with whom I formed an acquaintance nearly fifty years 
since. On Tuesday I took the steamboat at 8 o'clock, 
P. ML, and was in Baltimore before daybreak next morn- 
ing. I took lodgings with my good friend^ Dr. Baker, who 
married the daughter of Mrs. Dickins, the present widow 
of the late excellent Rev. John Dickins. She sat under 
my ministry more than forty-five years ago, when she was 
Miss Yancy. I rejoiced to find her so pleasantly situated, 
with such a pious, intelligent Christian, as I believe Dr. 
Baker to be. Here also I met with my good brother 
Reece and others." 

On Tuesday, April 20, at the request of his nephew, 
Capt. Norris, who came for the purpose of taking him ia 



248 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1824. 



his carriage, Mr. Garrettson left Baltimore to visit once 
more his native place. As this was his last visit to that 
part of the country, I shall present his own account of it 
chiefly in his own words. " We rode," says he, " about 
twenty miles to Capt. N.'s sister's near Bellair. I find a 
great, vacancy in this house. When I was here a few 
years since, the mother and her daughter Clarissa, two 
lovely females, received me with smiles ; — but where are 
they now ? First the sister, and then the mother, took 
their flight to glory, leaving four brothers and three sisters 
to mourn their loss. Mrs. Norris and her daughter Cla- 
rissa w r ere both blessed women, and I cannot doubt but 
that they have gone safe home. 

" Friday 23. We set off — my nephew kindly tender- 
ing his services to conduct me wherever I wished to go — ■ 
to traverse that part of the country called Bush River 
Keck, my native place. I saw many places which I used 
to frequent in the days of my boyhood, and among others 
the old church in which I was baptized. By this means 
many circumstances were brought to my recollection which 
transpired more than sixty years since. I was glad to find 
that the people had recently repaired the old church, and 
that a good fence was kept around the graves of our an- 
cestors. They have, however, no settled minister in what 
is called the Old Parish ; neither do they w r ant one ; for 
the Methodists have societies and houses of worship in 
every direction. We lodged at Mr. Ruthen Garrettson's, 
who has one of the richest farms in the Neck. His mother 
was my mother's sister, and my father w 7 as his father's 
brother, and he married my eldest sister's daughter. They 
both have a respect for religion, and I hope they will yet 
be saved. 

" On the Lord's day morning I preached with much 
satisfaction in the Abington church, and then rode six miles, 
and preached in a neat church lately built in the forest 
under the direction of old Mr. Webster, who at this time was 
dangerously ill. I was sent for to visit him, and found 
him nigh unto death, joyfully waiting until his time should 
come. He was among the first who embraced religion 
when the Methodist preachers made their entrance into 
this part of the country about fifty -six years ago. He is 
now about eighty-five years of age, and has been a preacher 



1824.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



249 



more than forty years. He has a large family of chil- 
dren and grandchildren settled around him, while he, like a 
ripe shock of corn, is waiting to be taken to the garner of 
rest. I had sweet fellowship with him. A few days 
after I left him he took his departure. I bless God for 
this opportunity of conversing with him." 

After spending a day or two longer in visiting his friends, 
he returned, on the 27th of April, to Baltimore, the seat 
of the General Conference. 

"May 1, 1824," says Mr. Garrettson, "our conference 
opened at 8 o'clock, A. M. I am, and I hope I always 
shall be an old-fashioned Methodist, and therefore was 
not at all pleased that the conference should have been 
detained so long in fixing rules for the government of its 
proceedings. So did not the apostles, elders, and brethren, 
who assembled at the first counsel at Jesusalem, but being 
full of faith and the Holy Ghost, they acted in the utmost 
harmony one with another." This extract is introduced 
not as a censure on the General Conference for adopting 
by-laws for the government of their deliberation, but to 
show the predilection of Mr. Garrettson for primitive sim- 
plicity and order. 

At our General Conference in 1820 it was resolved to 
open a more direct intercourse with our brethren in Eng- 
land by an interchange of delegates from one country to 
the other.* Accordingly, in that year, the Rev. John 
Emory was sent by the bishops as our representative to 
the British conference. He bore with him the following 
letter : — 

" Baltimore, May 27, 1820. 

The General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the 
United States of America, to the British Conference of ministers and 
preachers, late in connection with the Rev. John Wesley :— 

Rev. and Dear Brethren, — Grace, mercy, and peace 
be multiplied to you, and to the Israel of God under your 
charge both at home and in foreign countries. With a 
sincere and earnest desire to establish and preserve the 
most perfect harmony and peace with you, our elder bre- 

* This mutual intercourse had been kept up by the visits of Dr. 
Coke until the year 1804, since which time until the present it had 
been suspended, though the conferences continued an official correspond- 
ence with each other. 

ii* 



250 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1824. 



thren, we have adopted measures for opening such friendly 
intercourse as will, we devoutly pray, tend to the accom- 
plishment of this desirable end. 

Situated so remotely from each other, and under differ- 
ent forms of civil government, it is believed that no mode 
of correspondence will so effectually unite the European 
and American Methodists as an interchange of delegates 
from our respective conferences. 

We are encouraged to hope that such correspondence 
will be acceptable to you, from the consideration of the 
visit of Messrs. Black and Bennett, at our last session, and 
from the friendly opinion of our dear brother, the Rev. 
William Black, who has been with us during our present 
sitting in this city. 

Should such a friendly intercourse be approved, we shall 
receive with cordiality your representative at our succeed- 
ing sessions, and, with the most sincere friendship and 
affection reciprocate the visit. 

The prosperity of your missions, both at home and in 
foreign countries, is matter of praise and thanksgiving to 
the great Head of the church ; and our unceasing prayer 
is, that they still may increase more and more. 

The last four years have been distinguished by no ordi- 
nary success within the field of our labour : our borders 
have been greatly enlarged, and the wilderness has bud- 
ded and blossomed as the rose. The last year especially 
has been attended with an abundant outpouring of the 
Holy Spirit, and the increase of our numbers has exceeded 
that of any former year. 

The field of missionary labours is opening and extending 
before us, and the divine providence appears to be prepar- 
ing the way for the conversion of the Indian tribes on this 
vast continent. 

The bearer, the Rev. John Emory, has been appointed 
our delegate to your body, and will be able to give .you a 
more particular account of the work under our charge, 
and especially of our commencement and progress in the 
missionary cause. 

Most earnestly praying that the Methodists may be 
identified in their doctrine, experience, and practice, in 
every part of the world, and that the Father of lights may 
pour upon you, and upon us, the Spirit of grace, and 



1824.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



251 



preserve us in the unity of faith, and in the fellowship 
and peace of his Son Jesus Christ, we remain, Rev. 
and dear brethren, yours in the gospel of our common 
Lord. 

Signed, by order and in behalf of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, 

Enoch George, President, 
Alexander M'Caine, Secretary" 

To which the British conference returned the following 
answer :— 

"To the General Superintendents of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
in the United States of America : — 

Dear Brethren, — We enclose to your care the 
resolutions passed by the conference, after the letters 
addressed to us by the American General Conference, and 
delivered by the Rev. John Emory, had been read and 
considered. 

In addition to the expression of our sentiments con- 
tained in those resolutions, on the renewal of intercourse 
between the two conferences, we are directed to request 
you to convey to your next General Conference our warm- 
est thanks for those declarations of unabated brotherly 
affection toward us and the connection, which your letters 
contain, and for the appointment of Mr. Emory as your 
representative. 

In him we have recognised the purity of your doctrine, 
and the fervour and simplicity of your piety. We have re- 
ceived him, not as a stranger, but as a " brother beloved." 
Our hearts are as his heart, and it will be remembered as 
one of the most pleasing circumstances connected with 
the conference held in this town, that our personal inter- 
course with you was here restored, and that this " work of 
love" was committed to so able and excellent a brother, 
whose public ministrations and addresses in our conference 
have been equally gratifying and instructive to us and to 
our people. 

From the statements made by Mr. Emory as to the 
progress of the work of God in the United States, we have 
received the greatest satisfaction. We offered our united 
thanksgivings to God, that the doctrines of primitive Me« 



252 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1824. 



thodism, the preaching of which God has so eminently 
owned in the salvation of men, and the edification of be- 
lievers, are not only continued among you in their purity, 
but have been so widely extended by your great and per- 
severing efforts, and that the same holy discipline in all 
its essential parts, continues, whenever you form societies, 
to guard and confirm the work which God has made to 
prosper in your hands. 

For the state of our affairs in Great Britain and Ireland, 
and in our missionary stations, we refer you to Mr. Emo- 
ry, who, as health would allow, has attended our sittings, 
and to those publications with which, before his depar- 
ture, we shall be happy to furnish him, to be laid before 
you. 

You will see that we have had to rejoice with you in 
the great extension of the work of God into the various 
parts of the British empire, and that the institutions of 
Methodism, which we have proved to be so well adapted 
to promote and to preserve true religion, are known and 
valued in every quarter of the globe. May we, with you, 
be the honoured instruments of turning the disobedient to 
the w 7 isdom of the just in every place, and of hastening the 
universal kingdom of our Lord. 

The resolutions on the disputes in the Canadas were 
adopted after a calm and patient consideration of the case, 
in which we were greatly assisted by Mr. Emory. We 
hope they will lead to a full adjustment of those disputes, 
and that the affection which exists between the two con- 
nections generally will extend itself to the brethren and 
societies in the Canadas. This is the disposition which 
we shall earnestly inculcate upon those under our care in 
those provinces ; and we have full confidence that the 
same care will be taken by you to extinguish every feeling 
contrary to love among those over whom you have control 
and influence. 

With earnest prayers for you, dear and honoured bre- 
thren, in particular, on whom devolves the general direc- 
tion of the affairs of the great body of Methodists in the 
western world, and whose labours are so severe, but so 
glorious, — that you may be filled with wisdom for counsel, 
and strength to fulfil the duties of your great office ; — and 
also for all your churches, that they may have rest, and 



1824.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



253 



walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the 
Holy Ghost, may be abundantly multiplied, 
We are, dear brethren, 

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus, 
Jabez Bunting, President, 
George Mars den, Secretary. 

Liverpool, Aug. 7, 1820." 

The following are the resolutions referred to in the 
foregoing address :— 

" Resolutions of the British Conference in reference to their relation 
with the American General Conference. 

The Rev. John Emory having been introduced to the 
conference as the accredited representative in our body 
of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the United States of America, presented a letter 
from that conference, and gave an interesting and encou- 
raging statement of the prosperity of the work of God in 
the United States ; which account the conference received 
with much satisfaction, and unanimously agreed to the 
following resolutions on the occasion, viz. : — 

1. That the conference embrace with pleasure this 
opportunity of recognising that great principle, which, it 
is hoped, will be permanently maintained, — that the Wes- 
leyan Methodists are one body in every part of the world. 

2. That the British conference have frequently rejoiced 
in the very favourable accounts which have been received, 
year after year, of the great and glorious work which God 
is graciously carrying on in the United States of America; 
but that it is with peculiar pleasure that they receive a re- 
presentative from the General Conference in America. The 
statement given by our beloved brother, Mr. Emory, of the 
present state of Methodism in America, has been received 
with much joy ; and the conference hereby expresses its 
high satisfaction, not only in the declaration, but in the 
proof of the love of our American brethren in fully opening 
the way for a brotherly intercourse between the European 
and the American societies. 

3. That the conference particularly rejoices in the zeal 
which is manifested by our American brethren, in carrying 
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Indian tribes, 



254 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1824, 



and in the success which. God has already, given to their 
labours in that natural and moral wilderness ; and hopes 
that the time is drawing near, when the aborigines of that 
vast continent shall become the mild and gentle followers 
of our gradibus Redeemer. 

4. That it is the earnest wish of this conference that 
the kind and friendly intercouse which is now opened 
between the British and American conferences should be 
continued ; and that, prior to the time of the next General 
Conference in America, the British conference will appoint 
one or more of their body to visit our brethren in America, 
and to be present at their General Conference. 

5. That a letter shall be sent to the American brethren, 
containing these resolutions, and strongly expressing our 
high approbation of the selection of our highly esteemed 
brother Mr. Emory, as their representative to our confer- 
ence, and our earnest desire and prayer, that, in the spirit 
of Christian love, we may ever be one in Christ Jesus. 

6. That there shall be a regular exchange of minutes, 
magazines, missionary reports and notices, and of all new 
original works, published by the European and American 
Methodists, from their respective book rooms.'* 

This friendly intercourse being thus opened to the mutual 
satisfaction of the two s^eat divisions of the Methodist family, 
this vear, 1824, the Rev. Richard Reece was despatched as 
a representative from the British to the American General 
Conference, accompanied by the Rev. John Hannah as his 
companion. This is the Mr. Reece to whom Mr. Garrett- 
son alludes in the fore^oinsf extract from his journal, and 
of whom he frequently speaks in respectful and affectionate 
terms. On the introduction of Mr. Reece into the con- 
ference he presented the following letter, which was read 
by the secretary, Dr. Emory : — 

" To the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church assem- 
bled at Baltimore, in the United States of America. 

Dear Brethren, — The time has arrived which calls us, 
in pursuance of a resolution unanimously passed in the con- 
ference of 1820, held in Liverpool to commission a depu- 
tation from our body, to attend your ensuing General Con- 
ference, to convev to you the sentiments of our fraternal 
regard, and affectionate attachment, and to reciprocate that 



1824.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



255 



kind and friendly office, which, on your part, was perform- 
ed by the visit of one of your esteemed ministers, the Rev, 
John Emory. 

The increased interest in your spiritual welfare, which 
the establishment of this mode of direct and official com- 
munication between the two great bodies of Methodists, 
has naturally excited in us, and, reciprocally, we believe, 
in you, is to us the first proof of its beneficial tendency, 
and a cheering indication of its future advantages. For 
why should the ocean entirely sever the branches of the 
same family, or distance of place, and distinct scenes of 
labour, wholly prevent that interchange of the sympathies 
of a special spiritual relationship which cannot but be felt 
by those who, under God, owe their origin to the labours 
of the same apostolic man ; — bear testimony to the same 
great truths before the world, — and whose efforts to spread 
the savour of the knowledge of Christ, on our part, through 
the British empire, and on yours through the population 
of those rising states, which have derived their language, 
their science, and their Protestantism, from the same com- 
mon source, — Almighty God has deigned so abundantly 
to bless ? 

We received with heart-felt joy the messenger of your 
churches, the Rev. John Emory, bearing the grateful news 
of the progress of the work of God in your societies, and 
were refreshed by the expressions of your charity. We 
now commit the same charge to the faithful and beloved 
brethren whom we have appointed to salute you in the Lord, 
that nothing may be wanting on our part to strengthen the 
bond of brotherly love, and to call forth mutual and united 
prayers for each other's welfare, by a mutual knowledge 
of each other's state. 

We are on the point of closing the sittings of the present 
conference, in which the perfect harmony of the brethren 
assembled has afforded matter for the most devout and 
grateful acknowledgments to God ; both as it is the indi- 
cation and the.result of that entire affection and unity which 
exist among our societies throughout the united kingdom. 
Through the mercy of God, we have rest on every side, — 
the discipline we received from our venerable founder is 
still enforced with unabated zeal, and under a conviction of 
its agreement with the word of God, cheerfully observed ; — 



256 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1824. 



the value of those apostolic doctrines which distinguish us 
in the old and new world, was never, we believe, more 
powerfully felt among us, and never were they with greater 
fidelity exhibited in our public ministry ; and as a crown- 
ing blessing, numbers are yearly added to us and to the 
Lord, and the light and influence of the gospel are yearly 
extending, by the divine blessing upon the labours of the 
brethren, into the still dark and uncultivated parts of our 
beloved country. * Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but 
unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's 
sake.' 

You will also, dear brethren, partake of our joy in 
the success with which it has pleased God to attend 
the labours of our brethren in our different foreign mis- 
sions. 

The leading particulars of their state and prospects you 
will have learned from our Magazine and Annual Reports, 
and it will therefore suffice to state, that, in this department 
of the work of God committed to our charge, upward of 
one hundred and fifty of our preachers are employed ; and 
that the zeal and liberality with which our people and the 
friends of religion generally co-operate with us in this 
hallowed work, answer to every call, and seem only 
roused to greater activity and enlargement as the sad 
condition of the Pagan world is by new developements 
displayed before them. In the formation of regular mis- 
sionary societies in your church, to promote the universal 
establishment of the kingdom of our adorable Saviour, and 
4 to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery 
which from the beginning; f the world hath been hid in 
God,' we have greatly rejoiced ; and in those encouraging 
dawnings of large success among the aboriginal tribes of 
your native continent, which have cheered the early efforts 
of those devoted men whom you have ordained to this 
blessed service. In addition to the doctrines in which we 
have heen instructed, God has in his mercy given to us, 
as Methodists, a discipline adapted in a very special man- 
ner to missionary operations, to build up and establish in- 
fant religious societies among heathens, and to call forth 
in every place a supply of labourers for extending the work, 
and enlarging the cultivated field into the untitled and neg- 
lected wilderness. In the spirit of our great founder under 



1824.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



257 



God, who regarded the whole icorh! as his parish, let the 
Methodists of Great Britain and America regard the whole 
world as the field of their evangelical labours ; and mindful 
of this our high vocation, let us enter in at every open door, 
trusting in God to dispose the hearts of our people to pro- 
vide the means necessary to carry our sacred enterprises 
into effect ; striving together in our prayers that from us the 
word of the Lord may ' sound forth to nations and king- 
doms of men, of all colours and climates, now involved in 
the ignorance and misery of Pagan idolatry, and sitting in 
darkness and the shadow of death.' 

More fully to declare unto you our state, and to be 
witnesses of ' the grace of God in you,' we have appointed, 
and hereby do accredit as our representative to your 
approaching General Conference, the Rev. Richard Reece, 
late president of our conference, and have requested the 
Rev. John Hannah, one of our respected junior preachers, 
to accompany him on this service. ' Beloved in the Lord 
and approved in Christ,' we commit them to the grace of 
God, and to your brotherly affection. We earnestly pray 
that your approaching assembly may be under the special 
guidance and benediction of our common Head, and that 
all your deliberations may issue in the lasting union and 
prosperity of your numerous and widely extended societies ; 
that you may increase in faith and love ; and that your 
labours may year after year continue to enlarge and esta- 
blish in the western world the kingdom of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ — 'to whom be glory. in the church 
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.' 

Signed in behalf of the conference, 

H. Mo ore, President. 

Sheffield, Aug. 11, 1S23." 

After which, Mr. Reece delivered the following Ad- 
dress : — 

" Mr. President, — The paper which has just been 
read is an expression of the sentiments avowed by the 
British conference, — -and in which I heartily concur ; — 
sentiments of affectionate concern for the prosperity and 
advantage of our brethren on this side of the Atlantic. 
It afforded us much satisfaction to receive from you, by 



258 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1824, 



your excellent deputy, the Rev. John Emory, an overture 
to more frequent intercourse and closer fellowship of bro- 
therly love. Wesley an Methodism is one everywhere, — 
one in its doctrines, its discipline, its usages. We believe 
it to be the purest, simplest, most efficient form of Chris- 
tianity that the world has known since the primitive days. 
Doubtless, it is that which has had the sanction of Al- 
mighty God, in its rapid and extended success, beyond 
any other in modern times. It commenced, nearly a cen- 
tury ago, in the mother country, in one of her universities, 
with a few young men, ; chosen vessels, meet for the 
Masters use." Then, it was the ' cloud little as a human 
hand ;' — now, it has spread widely, and is still spreading, 
over both hemispheres, while its fertilizing showers are 
descending upon Europe, America, Africa, and Asia, pro- 
ducing fruit wherever they fall, — the fruit of knowledge 
and holiness. Methodism is our common property. We 
are alike interested in its preservation and diffusion. It 
is a sacred trust committed to us. It is a heavenly trea- 
sure which we have to dispense for the benefit of man. 
Its spirit is not sectarian, but catholic, and embraces 
Christians of every denomination, who hold the essential 
truths of the gospel, and *' love our Lord Jesus Christ in 
sincerity. Your brethren in England were never more 
concerned to preach its distinguishing doctrines of justifi- 
cation by faith, the direct witness of the Spirit in the 
hearts of believers, and salvation from all sin in this life, 
with simplicity, fidelity, and zeal, than at present ; — never 
more concerned to enforce its discipline with hrmnes-s 
and love, and to • train up" a people in the ' nurture and 
admonition of the Lord ;'— never more careful that it do 
not deteriorate in their hands, but that it be transmitted, 
pure and entire, to 'faithful men,' who shall succeed to 
their labours: for which purpose they are anxious in 
their instruction, and strict in their examination of the 
rising race of preachers, that these may be sound in the 
faith, and lovers of our discipline. Many of them are all 
we can hope, young men whose ' profiting' has ' appeared 
unto all/ and to whom we can commit the deposit, without 
anxiety, believing that .they will 1 obtain mercy of the Lord 
to be faithful.' 

The result of this care and pains to preserve a pure and 



1824.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 259 



effective ministry, has been, and is seen in the blessing" of 
God upon our labours, in an extension of his work through 
every part of our country, where t great and effectual 
doors ' are opening into new places, and the Lord is 
* adding to his church daily such as are saved.' The 
members of our society are also improving in personal 
holiness, and zeal for good works. They are more ready 
to concur with us in spreading the gospel abroad among 
heathen nations, as well as in tightening the ' cords' of 
our discipline at home. On the whole, our prospects 
were never more bright, nor had we ever more reason to 
be encouraged. 

My opportunities of intercourse with you since my 
arrival in this country, together with the satisfaction I 
have had in attending two of your annual conferences, 
where I met with many of my American brethren, render 
this one of the most interesting periods of my life. I 
have witnessed the disinterested and laborious zeal which 
distinguishes your character and conduct. I have seen 
the fruit of your labours in the excellent societies in 
Xew-York, Boston, Philadelphia, Winchester, and this 
city. The doctrines and discipline of Methodism, when 
rightly applied, do, under the blessing of God, produce 
a Scriptural conversion, and form the genuine Christian 
character everywhere ; and either at home or abroad, 
I find that a Methodist, who lives according to his pro- 
fession, is a ; fellow-heir' of the same 6 grace of life.' 
My prayer is, in accordance with the prayers of the body 
whom I represent, that you may go on and prosper, until, 
as the honoured instruments of God, you have diffused 
gospel light and life through every part of this vast conti- 
nent, and every class of its interesting population ; — that 
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be everywhere 
glorified in his disciples. Amen" 

The deliberations of this conference were protracted 
beyond the usual time, chiefly in consequence of the nu- 
merous petitions and memorials which were sent up by 
many of our local brethren and other members of the 
church, requesting a lay representation in the councils of 
the church, as well as several of an opposite character, 
praying that all things might remain as they were. Though 
Mr, Garrettson, in coincidence with the majority of his 



260 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1824. 



brethren, thought it inexpedient, under present circum- 
stances, to grant the prayer of the petitioners for a lay 
representation, yet he seemed to think that some modi- 
fication in the general outlines of the government might be 
usefully introduced. From what he has recorded in his 
journal on this subject, it appears that he adhered to the 
last to the opinion, that each annual conference should 
have its bishop, to travel annually through its bounds, to 
preside in its sessions, and to station, with suitable coun- 
sel, the preachers. And though 1 cannot agree with him 
in all his views in reference to this subject, I thought it 
due to him, and to the readers of his life, to state the fact, 
without farther comment than just to say, that the mode 
of church government involves questions so various and 
perplexing, on account of the silence of Scripture as to 
prescribing any particular mode in distinction from all 
others, that writers on this subject should, above all others, 
avoid a dogmatical spirit, and exercise much forbearance 
and charity toward each other. 

After attending the New- York conference June, 1, 1824, 
in peace and safety, he returned once more " to bless his 
household/' He did not, however, remain long in his 
beloved retirement. In company with Mrs. Garrettson 
and his daughter he set off on a tour to the north-west. 
After preaching in Schenectady on Sabbath. July 4, 1824, 
he took a canal boat on Monday for Utica, where he arrived 
on Tuesday, and in the evening of Wednesday preached 
to a crowded house, on a favourite subject, from the words 
of our Saviour to Martha, 4i But one thing is needful." 
Here he met Bishops George and Hedding, with whom 
he took sweet counsel. He makes the following reflec- 
tions on the changes and improvements in this part of the 
country : — 

" What an astonishing alteration in this country ! More 
than thirty years since, when I was travelling through 
these parts, preaching and forming circuits, I could rind 
here and there only a log hut to screen me from the blasts 
of winter, or the scorchings of a summer's sun. But now 
the country is thickly populated, farms highly cultivated, 
villages multiplied, and churches erected in every direc- 
tion, splendid coaches rolling through the streets, etc., &c. 
I fear, indeed, the people in general think more of the 



1824.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



261 



world than they do of their souls. I awfully fear for the 
inhabitants of this fertile country." 

After remaining in Utica eight days, " bearing," as he 
says, " a faithful testimony against the prevailing vices of 
the place," and likewise recording his sense of the kind- 
ness of his friends, he returned to Schenectady, where 
" our good friends at the college," says he, " were very 
attentive, doing every thing in their power to make us 
comfortable." 

After observing that in Utica and some other places, the 
Methodists seem to be on the background, he says, 
" What is the cause ? O Lord, heal our backslidings, and 
bring us to our former standing. Some men learn to preach 
as they would learn any other profession, get a scanty sup- 
port, and I fear get but few if any souls for their hire. 
The good old plan was to be thrust out with the awful 
words pressing on the soul, Wo is me if I preach not the 
gospel! In all such there is an ardent desire for holi- 
ness, a burning zeal for the salvation of perishing sinners, 
and by their means precious souls are gathered into the 
fold of Christ. 

" I spent the greater part of Thursday 15th," says Mr. 
Garrettson, " at Dr. Nott's, reading Jones's Church His- 
tory. He certainly views what I call the Novation schism 
— which happened about the middle of the third century — ■ 
much more favourably than I can. After the death of the 
bishop of Rome, when the people were about to elect a 
successor, Novatian wished for that high office in the 
Church ; but when he found himself defeated, he formed 
a party, which elected hirn, and set him apart as bishop of 
Rome. If this was not making a schism in the Church, 
I am at a loss to know what ought to be called by that 
name. At that period, under the persecutions of the hea- 
then, Jesus Christ certainly had a living body at Rome, 
I think it was pride, or some other unholy passion, which 
excited Novatian and his party thus to rend the body of 
Christ, to sow the seeds of discord, the fruits of which 
were so much deprecated by Cyprian, bishop of Carthage. 
I dare not call the origin of that branch of the Church 
which has come down to us through the Waldenses, by 
means of the Novatian schism, a pure succession from the 
apostles," I believe the united testimony of ecclesiastical 



262 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1824, 



historians goes to say that although Novatian held fast the 
essential doctrines of Christianity, he formed his party 
without justifiable means, being actuated by a spirit of 
rivalry toward Cornelius, who was chosen in preference 
to Novatian to the office of a bishop on account of his dis- 
tinguished virtues. This gave offence to Novatian, who 
was a severe character, and carried his rigid notions of 
church discipline so far as to refuse a readmission into the 
church of any persons who had fallen into sin, however 
penitent they might be. These things being considered, 
Mr. Garrettson had good reason to suspect the pure 
origin of that Church which proceeds from the schism of 
Novatian. The history of those times, however, is of that 
character as to render it extremely difficult to form a cor- 
rect judgment respecting the true causes of the various 
sects which from time to time disturbed the tranquillity of 
the church. All who dissented from the main body were 
denominated schismatics or heretics-, with what degree of 
justice and truth it is somewhat difficult to decide. 

After returning and remaining a few days at home, he 
took the steamboat for New- York. He here bears a 
pointed testimony against the immorality recently intro- 
duced by an opposition line of steamboats, in starting on 
the Lord's day. " I fear," says he, " our sins will bring 
down the judgments of God upon us." Sunday the 25th, 
he observes, " I preached and had a precious sacramental 
season in Allen-street church, and in the evening the word 
was refreshing in the church at Greenwich. 

" My blessed God has been good to me for many years, 
for which I will praise him. I am now bending over eter- 
nity, and must soon go the way of all the earth. Not being 
able to walk about much, I am retired in the hospitable 
family of Mr. Suckley, and have a good time for self- 
examination, meditation, and prayer. I am under many 
and the strongest obligations to my heavenly Father, and 
am fully sensible that I have nothing in myself to recom- 
mend me to his favour. Mercy through the merits of Jesus 
Christ is my only plea. The aged as well as the young 
must continually say, ' Every moment, Lord, I need the 
merit of thy death.' " In several places he has left upon 
record sentiments similar to the above. It would appear, 
therefore, that he was endeavouring to weigh himself in 



1824.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON". 263 



the balance, to cast up his accounts, that he might be 
ready, when called, to render them up " with joy, and 
not with grief." He continued labouring in the several 
churches in the city and in Brooklyn until August 10th, 
when he set off to attend a camp meeting on Long Island. 
" I endeavour," says he, " in every sermon I preach, to 
deliver it as if it were my last. I often think of my dear 
old friend, Bishop Asbury, who spent the last shred of his 
valuable life in the service of his great Master. I wish to 
do good, to be greatly taken up in my blessed Master's 
work, that my last may be my best days. O ! wash me 
Lord, and make me clean." 

After attending the camp meeting, with which he seemed 
much pleased, because he thought good was done, he 
returned to the city, where he spent a few days in visiting 
and preaching. On Monday he left the city for Rhinebeck. 
" This week," says he, under date of August 22d, " I have 
spent with my family, and have been frequently in deep 
exercise of mind. I cannot be fully satisfied, unless em- 
ployed in the work of the blessed God. On this day, 
Sabbath, I have preached in the mission chapel, morning, 
afternoon, and evening, with much liberty. May the blessed 
work revive in Rhinebeck !" 

A few days after he remarks, " I have been several 
weeks about home, and sometimes have preached two or 
three times on the Lord's day. I am sensible that to be 
happy we must be rationally employed, and not take anxious 
thoughts for the morrow. The maxim of our divine Saviour 
is founded in the fitness of things, Sufficient unto the day 
is the evil thereof. I have now in my retirement time for 
reflection and self-examination, and although, blessed be 
God, I have not designedly erred, yet in many things I 
discover my imperfections. Sometimes I suffer much 
depression of spirits, when I should rejoice and praise 
God, who has surrounded me with so many mercies. Jesus 
is my friend, and I will praise him. My dear Mrs. Gar- 
rettson is always ready, when a gloom overspreads my 
mind, to administer a word of comfort ; and the affection- 
ate and cheerful conversation of my lovely daughter is 
enough to awaken sensibility in the heart of a hermit. 
6 Why art thou cast down, O my soul !' Nearly half a 
century since I was happy in the perfect love of God, and 



264 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



[1824. 



my labours were abundant in his service. The blessed 
God has favoured me with many days, and with a good 
constitution ; but I fear I have come short in doing as 
much in his cause as I might have done. I have a glorious 
Advocate ; otherwise I must sink. Glory to his name ! 
I will praise him. and yet strive what I can do to promote 
his cause. Unworthy as I feel myself. I would not part 
with my hope of glory for a million of worlds.'* Such were 
the private meditations of this man of God. Such deep 
self-abasement, accompanied with an unwavering confi- 
dence in the infinite merits of the Lord Jesus, indicated a 
thorough acquaintance with his own heart and a Scriptural 
view of the divine plan of redemption and salvation. 

On the 21st of September, accompanied by Mrs. Gar- 
rettson and his daughter, he paid a visit to some old friends 
in Westchester county. Among others with whom they 
participated in a friendly interchange of thought and con- 
versation were the late Governor Jay and his family. He 
resided in the town of Bedford. Of him Mr. Garrettson 
thus speaks : — " Mr. Jay lives in dignified retirement, re- 
sembling a patriarch in the midst of his children and 
grandchildren. As several were there on a visit, there 
were about twenty persons at the table, and the best of all 
is, they appeared to fear God, and to be engaged m doing 
good. He is now about eighty years of age. and very 
feeble. After having rilled some of the first civil offices 
in his country, in this advanced time of life, the American 
Bible Society have elected him their president, as the 
successor of Mr. Boudinot, deceased. He has prayers in 
his family morning and evening.* After a very pleasant 
visit here, we set our faces toward home, crossed the 
mountains, and on Saturday arrived in safety at our quiet 
habitation. God has been gracious to my family many 
vears, and pravers and praise, I trust, ascend to heaven 
daily." 

As we advance in life we seem more and more afTected 
w T ith the ravages which death makes in the circle of our 
acquaintance. Our associates and equals in age we behold 
one after another dropping into eternity, which reminds 

* This venerable man and eminent statesman, the friend of his 
coumry. and a firm believer in Christianity, has since gone the way of all 
the earth, beloved and lamented by all who knew him. 



1824.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SON. 



265 



us of our own near approach to " the valley and shadow 
of death." It is, however, a reviving consolation in the 
midst of these melancholy signals of mortality, that a hope 
of a better state of existence accompanies the holy Chris- 
tian through his passage into the other world, while he 
belie vingly listens to the voice, u Fear not, for I am with 
thee," — " my rod and staff shall comfort thee." 

It was about this time that one of the early Christian 
friends of Mr. Garrettson, Mrs. Carpenter, of New-York, 
took her departure for a world of spirits. At the particu- 
lar request of the family, Mr. Garrettson, October 28th, 
1824, left home for New- York to preach her funeral 
discourse. On this occasion he makes the following 
reflections : — 

" Our dear friend, Mrs. Carpenter, has gone to rest, 
leaving her husband and family to mourn their bereave- 
ment. She was born the same month and year that I 
was. She has gone a little before me, but I must soon 
follow her. For more than fifty years she enjoyed an 
evidence of her acceptance in the Beloved, and for many 
years she enjoyed, in an eminent degree, the sanctifying 
influences of the Holy Spirit ; and after a long and useful 
life, she left the world in the full triumphs of faith, in the 
seventy-third year of her age. She was beloved by all 
who knew her ; and the church, her family, and acquaint- 
ances have lost in her a valuable friend ; but their loss is 
her eternal gain." 

After remaining a few days in the city he returned to 
Rhinebeck. JHere he endeavoured to fill up his time in 
reading, writing, and meditation, occasionally preaching, 
particularly on the Lord's day, in the mission chapel at 
Rhinebeck, and making some excursions to the neigh- 
bouring villages, where he was instrumental in watering 
the souls of God's people. After having visited Kingston, 
and preached to the people under some depression of spi- 
rit, he makes the following remarks : — 

" This is a poor soil for Methodism. This is an ancient 
village, first settled by emigrants from Holland, whose 
descendants seem to hold fast the religious profession of 
their ancestors, and think it borders on a crime to depart 
from it. There is, however, but little to be accomplished 
without perseverance. The time may come when the 

12 



266 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT5GN. El 825, 



hearts of the people even in this place may yield to the 
touches of God's Spirit."* 

"March 8, 1825," he observes, "a messenger brought 
us the tidings that Mr. Sands had taken his departure 
from this world of sorrow at about three o'clock this 
morning. On the Sunday following, March 13, 1 preached 
his funeral sermon to a large congregation on the words 
of the psalmist, Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but 
out of them all the Lord delivereth him. 

"Mr. Sands was among the first who joined the Method- 
ist society in Rhinebeck. He was the second person who 
invited me to preach at his house in this place. I found 
him a kind, benevolent friend ; and it was not long after I 
came to the place that he was brought into gospel liberty, 
and was appointed the leader of the class. He discharged 
the duties of this office as long as he was able. Many of 
our preachers who have lived in Rhinebeck will long re- 
member his cheerful bounties. He was a man of an upright 
character and conduct, and of great benevolence, against 
whom nothing could be said, not even by the tongue of 
envy. I give the following anecdote as a proof. When 
Mr. Jay, of whom I have before spoken, was governor of 
the state, party politics ran high between what were then 
called federalists and republicans. This led them to speak 
very freely of each other's candidates for office. At this 
time Mr. Sands was in nomination as a senator. I looked 
over the newspapers to see if any thing could be said 
against him. I remember a short paragraph which ex- 
pressed ' a surprise to see good old Mr. Sands coming 
forward at the head of his party, and suggested that it 
would be much better for him to remain at home, and take 
care of his class !' He lived a useful member of our church 
about thirty-five years, and in the eighty-second year of his 
natural life took his departure to glory." 

This testimony to the worth of Mr. Sands is by no 
means exaggerated. He was a most amiable Christian, a 
philanthropist, deeply devoted to God and the interests of 

* This conjecture has been since realized in the village of Kingston. 
A very considerable revival was witnessed here in 1828, and a number 
of souls have been brought to the knowledge of the truth. How much 
of the good seed which has thus sprung up was sown by Mr. Garrettsoo, 
who can tell ! Eternity will unfold it ! 



1825J 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETT SON. 



267 



his church, manifesting his regard to the ministers of 
Christ by repeated acts of liberality. 

On Sabbath, March 20, he says, " After the morning 
service I was called upon to attend the funeral of Mr. 

C S , a useful citizen, and on whom I had often 

endeavoured to impress the nature and necessity of our 
holy religion. I felt much for him during his sickness, 
and was much gratified to learn there was some alteration 
in his mind for the better before he died. 

" On Monday, by the steamboat, we were in New- 
York, in about ten hours. Oar old friends are dropping 
off one after another. Brother Paul Hick and brother 
Arcularius, two of the oldest members of the church in 
the city, have just gone to heaven, and I fear brother 
Carpenter will not continue long.* O Lord, sanctify me 
wholly ; and I pray God that iny soul, body, and spirit, 
may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord 
Jesus Christ." 

He continued in the city, preaching in the several 
churches, visiting the sick and his old friends, until April 
5, when he returned to Rhinebeck. On understanding 
that one of the preachers was about to locate, Mr. Gar- 
rettson has the following reflections :— " Did the blessed 
God call him to be a minister ? If so, how has he disposed 
of the call ? Or did he run before he was sent ? Or has he 
fallen from God ? It is a very serious thing to trifle with a 
work of such vast importance. I awfully fear for the con- 
sequences, as I believe a call to the ministry is for life/" > 

He was prevented from making his fifth visit to New- 
York for this season, by receiving information of the death 
of another of his valued friends, Mrs. Suckley, of New* 
York, and who, according to her wishes, made known 
previously to her death, was to be buried in Rhinebeck. 
Tuesday, November 28, he observes, " This was a so- 
lemn day. We were waiting to receive the remains of 
our deceased friend and her mourning family. About ten 
o'clock in the evening they arrived, accompanied by two 
of the preachers from the city, and several other persons. 
Our habitation is highly honoured." 

Mr. Garrettson makes the following remarks respecting 



* He did not, but died soon after in great peace. 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOIN, 



HS26, 



Sirs. Suckley : — " She was awakened and brought into 
gospel liberty when in the bloom of youth, soon after the 
introduction of Methodism into Rhinebeck. She was 
sweetly drawn by the cords of divine love, which passion 
seemed always to govern her heart. She appeared, indeed, 
to be one of those who think no evih She possessed the 
tenderest sensibilities of our nature, and these improved 
by education and grace. Her deeds of charity were always 
performed in such a private manner that some might think 
that she was not liberal : but she was a friend to the poor. 
She was a woman of much prayer, and her communion with 
God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ was inti- 
mate and constant. Her modest, humble, and unassuming 
deportment shielded her from the censures of the invidious, 
As a wife and mother, she was affectionate and tender. 
Many are the prayers which she has lodged in the bosom 
of God for her children. 

" In her last sickness she remarked, 1 God has not shown 
me his will distinctly, whether I am to live or die : but in 
his good time I shall know. I have much to make life 
desirable,' — -having reference to her children. — ' but I can- 
not form one petition for life, knowing it will be best for 
me to go !' Her sufferings were great, but her peace 
flowed like a river. She has left a husband, two sons, and 
three daughters, to mourn their loss. O that they may so* 
live here as to meet her in glory." 

Under date of March, 1S26, Mr. Garrett son remarks, 
that he had spent most of the past winter in Rhinebeck 
and its vicinity, and says, * The more I labour in the good 
cause, the better I feel in soul and body." On the 12th 
of April, he left home for Philadelphia, and says, that in 
twenty-five hours he arrived safely, a distance of about two 
hundred miles, twenty-five of which were by land. As the 
Philadelphia conference was in session at the time of 
Ms arrival, he speaks of enjoying much consolation in 
the society of the preachers, as well as in dispensing the 
word of life. Among other meetings, he says that he 
attended the anniversary of the Missionary Society of the 
Philadelphia Conference, and was much pleased and pro- 
fited with the appropriate addresses which were delivered. 

Mr. Garrettson possessed in an eminent degree the soul 
of a missionary. He was one of the founders and active 



1826.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



269 



promoters of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, became a life member by his own contribu- 
tion, aided its operations, and rejoiced in its prosperity until 
the day of his death. One of the last acts of his life was to 
make a bequest of an amount annually sufficient to support 
a single missionary, as he expressed it, until the millennium. 

On his return to Rhinebeck, after giving thanks to God 
for his goodness to himself and family, he says, " I want 
to have very little to do with the world. I never feel so 
well as when employed in the vineyard of the Lord." He 
was, however, happily relieved from worldly care, by his 
nephew, an intelligent and pious young man, who had for 
several years past taken the charge of his venerable uncle's 
temporal affairs, and managed them to his entire satisfac- 
tion. Of his faithfulness in these duties and the great 
relief which it afforded him, Mr. Garrettson often speaks 
in terms of gratitude to God. This reminds me of a 
remark made by a particular friend of Mr. Garrettson, 
that whenever he meddled with temporal concerns he 
seemed to be out of his element, it being his calling to 
move in a spiritual atmosphere, and to labour to build up 
the church of God. In this respect his peculiar gift and 
predominant inclination were happily united, as every sen- 
tence in his journal abundantly shows. 

At the New- York conference, May, 1826, the conference 
requested Mr, Garrettson, as he had just entered upon the 
fifty-first year of his ministry, to preach a semi-centennial 
sermon before the conference. Having complied with this 
request, a vote was passed in favour of its being published. 
This was afterward done. In this sermon Mr. Garrettson 
gave a short history of the rise and progress of Methodism 
from its commencement to that time, interspersing remarks 
on its general economy, its usefulness, and suggesting some 
hints by which he thought some of its external features 
might be improved. He likewise gave a history of some 
of the most striking parts of his own experience and labours, 
gave short notices of some of the primitive Methodist 
preachers, and concluded by a solemn word of advice to 
his brethren. From this sermon several extracts have 
been inserted in the preceding parts of this memoir, and 
the principal facts therein stated are here incorporated. 
The following additional extracts will be read with interest : 



270 



LIFE OF REV, F. GARRETTSON. 



[1826. 



M How shall we sufficiently praise God for the many 
thousands who, within the last eighty or ninety years, 
have been brought into gospel liberty, either directly or 
indirectly, by the instrumentality of John Wesley ! In 
looking over the Minutes of our annual conferences, I 
should conjecture, that more than a thousand names, 
which have appeared on them since mine was first placed 
there, no longer appear. What has become of them 1 
Thank God, a goodly number have worn themselves out in 
the good cause, ripened, and were gathered in. There 
are now more than ten thousand preachers, travelling and 
local, in the Wesleyan connection, in Europe, Asia, Afri- 
ca, and America, and in the islands of the seas, and more 
than half a million in membership ; and how many, can 
we reasonably conjecture, have been ripened by grace, 
and called home, since Mr. Wesley first began to preach 
salvation by faith, and a direct witness of the Spirit of 
the forgiveness of sins ? Would you say two millions ?- — 
or suppose one million, — would not even this be a suffi- 
cient inducement to encourage us in the great work, espe- 
cially when we view one soul as of more value than all 
the wealth and honour that this world can afford ? The 
little treasure, which, I trust, I have laid up in heaven, I 
would not part with for the riches of a thousand such 
worlds as this. 

" I must step without the particular pale of my own 
church, to speak of that numerous body of Christians who 
were marshalled under Mr. Whitefield and Lady Hun- 
tington. To these in their commencement Mr. Wesley 
bore the interesting relation of a father. We likewise view 
with pleasure that body of men who are called the evan- 
gelical clergy of the national Church. We hear with joy 
of their preaching salvation by faith, and of their zeal in 
promoting Bible, missionary, and Sunday school societies. 
When did this change take place ? Will not even preju- 
dice allow that the religious excitement which has been 
spreading more and more, and awakening the energies of 
labourers in different sections of the Lord's vineyard, be- 
gan through the instrumentality of the Wesleys ? We see 
them taking the lead, and then you may observe an Ing- 
ham, a Hervey, a Whitefield, a [Morgan, a Perronet, a 
Fletcher, a Coke, and several others, all ministers of the 



1826.1 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



271 



Established Church, making a powerful stand against the 
powers of darkness. We should not think it strange to find 
many hundreds of evangelical ministers in that establish- 
ment. My dear brethren, let the work spread to the 
ends of the earth, and let hundreds of millions be brought 
into gospel light and liberty. 

" Have we done no good in America but among our 
own people ? I have heard it said, and that by those who 
were not very friendly to us, that we drive more to other 
churches than we draw to our own. Well, if in the order 
of God, let it be so : if they are safe housed ; if they ripen 
and get safe to heaven, there will be but one fold there, 
and one Shepherd ; and though we could not perfectly 
narmonize on earth, there will be no discord in that sweet 
-world of peace and joy. 

" Let us, my dear brethren, take the advice of St. Paul 
the aged, 1 Whereunto we have already attained, let us 
walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing :' — let 
us lay aside every weight, and every besetment. looking 
to Jesus, who is the author, till he become the finisher of 
our salvation. I told you that we have way marks, and 
that it is dangerous to remove any of them. 1 Stand ye 
in the ways,' saith the prophet, ' and see j , -ask for the old 
paths ; where is the good way, and walk therein, and you 
shall find rest for your souls.' The Prophet Joel saith, 
' Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.' Remem- 
ber, the field is very extensive, and the whole human 
family are ripening either for heaven Gr hell. 

" I have had my time, and must soon leave this world ; 
but I bless God for the great change which has taken 
place in many parts of Christendom within the last fifty 
years. The old men have been, and are, dropping off, and 
the young men will have to bear the ark ; and I hope that 
they will do better than their fathers have done. 

" From the first planting of Christianity, to its establish- 
ment under Constantine, there were great accessions to 
the church of Christ ; and without doubt, millions of happy 
Christians, and exulting martyrs, went home to God, and 
are now rejoicing around the throne. 

" From the time that papal Rome began to persecute 
the church, until the coming of the Protestant reformers, 
aa army of martyrs and professors went triumphantly to 



272 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1826, 



glory. In the darker ages the church was said to be in 
the wilderness, and was at different periods known by 
various names, such as Albigenses, Waldenses, Lollards, 
Heretics, &c, &c. The stand which Luther and his 
coadjutors made against the errors of the Church of Rome 
was rendered a great blessing to the world ; and through 
that and the succeeding period, which may be called the 
puritanic age, many great men were raised up, and many 
souls experienced the liberty of the gospel ; and since the 
Wesleys were sent on the ministerial stage of action, and 
awakened the Protestant world from the slumber into 
which it had fallen, God has been glorified by the num- 
bers who have lived and died in his fear and favour : but 
there will be a time, and it is not far distant, when there 
shall be a more glorious and a universal gathering to the 
church, which, in the language of revelation, shall last a 
thousand years, Isaiah tells us, that ' the mountain of 
the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the 
mountains, and that all nations shall flow unto it.' 

" Prior to the accomplishment of the predictions of the 
Old and New Testaments, respecting the last great out- 
pouring of the Spirit, there must be a shaking among the 
nations, and the kingdoms of the beast and of the false 
prophet will crumble away. We cannot say at what time 
the martyrs will rise, and commence their reign with 
Christ in heaven ; but to harmonize several passages of 
Scripture, we are necessarily led to believe that their 
resurrection will happen same time after the binding of 
Satan, and will continue as much longer after he is 
loosed. This opinion leaves room for the fulfilment of 
the predictions of our blessed Lord, respecting the general 
apostacy. But perhaps the inhabitants of the earth will be 
ignorant of the period of its commencement, or of its ending, 

" Christ saith, ' What I say unto you I say unto all — 
Watch.' The trumpet will be sounded, and the dead, both 
small and great, will arise. Christ will come in grandeur, 
and the whole human family will appear at the judgment 
seat ; the pious of every nation, and of every sect, on the 
right, and the wicked on the left, to be judged according 
to the deeds done in the body. Sinners will feel awful 
when they see the second person in the Godhead coming 
in majesty and grea.t power, to pronounce sentence upon 



1826.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



273 



the quick and the dead. You that deny the infinite merit 
of Jesus Christ, tremble ! You that have set up idols in 
your hearts, and have rejected the Son of God, let fear- 
fulness take hold upon you. 

" I fully believe that the doctrines taught by Mr. John 
Wesley are Scriptural, and will stand the test ; but what 
his people will be a hundred years hence we cannot say. 
They may be a numerous and a learned people ; but it is 
possible that^ by slow degrees, they may retrograde until 
they have very little of the spirit of old Methodism ; and 
this certainly will be the case, without a steady and con- 
scientious perseverance in the good old paths. The letter 
is good in its place ; but we shall be comparatively nothing 
without the life and power of godliness. We must look 
well to our doctrines and discipline, and guard the sacred 
ministry. * Lay hands suddenly on no man :' — look more 
to genuine piety, and to a real call from God, than to any 
literary qualifications without it. Keep a pure ministry, 
and you will have a pure membership. The fall of the 
primitive church began with the clergy : and should we 
fall, our declension will begin here. It is better to have a 
pious, laborious, successful ministry, than to have wealth 
and ease without such a ministry. 

" My dear brethren, I hope better things, though I thus 
speak. As a people, I hope we shall have a standing 
among the pious through a succession of ages. Unworthy 
as I am, I can look back with pleasure ; and when faith 
gives me a glimpse of that sweet world above, I think all 
the little toil and sufferings that I have passed through are 
nothing. Eternity ! O an eternity of felicity ! Who would 
not bear the cross, and follow Jesus for a lot in that sweet 
world, where we shall dwell with the blessed Trinity, the 
holy angels, and the spirits of all the just made perfect 
through the blood of the Lamb ! 

" I bless God for what I have seen and felt ; but I have 
often wept while looking back on my unprofitable life, and 
on my many defects ; and I think, had I my time to live 
over again, I would strive more ardently to do good, and 
to live nearer to God. And soon, my dear brethren, I 
must leave you, and go the way of all flesh. I have lived 
long with you, and have seen a happy and prosperous half 
century. I love the Methodists, and hope they will prosper. 

12* 



274 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. C1826. 



I love Christians of every sect ; and I pray that the world 
may be filled with the glory of God ; — that false doctrines 
may be banished from the earth, and that the pure doctrines 
of the gospel may run and be glorified. 

" Before I leave you, I want for a moment to look into 
the invisible world ; but I am lost ! Could we see the an- 
gelic host, and listen to the songs of the redeemed ! could 
we join that blood-bought company, and converse with the 
patriarchs and prophets, and sages of the past, what rap- 
ture ! — But one glimpse of our Lord Jesus Christ would 
outshine them all ; for he only is worthy of all honour, and 
glory, and praise. We shall cast our crowns at his feet, 
and say, ■ Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy 
name give glory.' 

" My dear brethren, let us labour faithfully in scattering 
the good seed ; let us do every thing in our power for the 
prosperity of Zion, and wait patiently for the great harvest 
day, when we shall all be gathered home, to be happy, with 
the ever blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit : to 
whom be glory, now, henceforth, and for ever. Amen." 

At the close of this conference, Mr. Garrettson remarks, 
" Our dear brethren seem much engaged in the work, and 
I can truly say that I have sweet fellowship with them, and 
they treat me as a father. 

" Monday 22. Bishops M'Kendree and Hedding ac- 
companied me to Rhinebeck, and after spending several 
days pleasantly together, they took their departure on their 
way to the Genesee conference." 

The following is the last entry I find in his journal. 
After remarking that he had preached in the mission chapel 
at Rhinebeck, he says, — 

" Monday 6. As I was appointed by the conference on 

a committee for the purpose of trying an unfortunate , 

and as my daughter wished to visit Union College, we pre- 
pared for the excursion, and on Tuesday evening we ar- 
rived safely at Dr. Nott's, where we were kindly received. 

" Wednesday 8. I am pleasantly situated, feeling a 
pleasure in retirement. God is good to me." 

For the purpose of exhibiting to the reader the prevail- 
ing disposition of his heart in his concluding days, I have 
thus minutely followed Mr. Garrettson through the last 
two years of his valuable life, giving his sentiments as 



1826.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



275 



recorded in his most retired moments, chiefly in his words. 
In the next chapter we shall follow him to his grave, and 
likewise present some general outlines of his character. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

At the conference of 1826 Mr. Garrettson was conti- 
nued a conference missionary, and he employed his time 
in his usual way, making occasional excursions to New- 
York and some other places, preaching as often as his 
strength would permit him. Wherever he came he was 
hailed as a messenger of peace, and as a father in the 
gospel, both by the preachers and people. 

It was in the beginning of the winter of this year that I 
accompanied him to the city of Hudson, on an invitation 
from the brethren in that place, for the purpose of opening 
a new church. Having attended at Poughkeepsie for the 
purpose of dedicating a church recently built in that place, 
I went on board the steamboat which came along about 
12 o'clock at night. I shall never forget the tender and 

o © 

affectionate manner in which he received me. He was in 
his berth, but hearing my voice, he addressed me by name, 
raised himself in his berth, affectionately squeezed my 
hand, expressing his gladness to see me. Indeed he 
always seemed revived whenever he came in company 
with his brethren in the ministry, whom he loved, I believe, 
" with a pure heart fervently." I have mentioned this 
circumstance merely to show how sincerely he loved his 
friends, as well as the readiness with which he obeyed the 
calls of his brethren to aid them in their work. 

It was during one of his visits to the city of New-York, 
this year, that he sent the letter to Mrs. Garrettson, the 
last she ever received from him, of which the following is 
an extract : — 

" Yesterday I spent mostly in prayer and conversation ; 
to-day in reading, and this evening in writing. To-morrow 
I expect to be in the Book Room with the committee. 

" I groan for perfect freedom. I have heard people talk 
of laying up a stock of grace ; but blessed and happy is 
that person who has a sufficiency from moment to moment, 
to keep him humble, innocent, and pure. We are every 



276 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1827. 



moment dependant upon God. I have no doubt but that 
retrospection on a long life spent in the service of God, 
with a continuance in piety, must be very consoling; but 
I know there is as great a necessity for watchfulness and 
perseverance as ever. The holy, blessed God knows our 
various weaknesses, and will in old age put beneath us his 
everlasting arms. O ! to come near to the throne of grace, 
and touch the hem of his garment by faith, and have every 
stain washed away. ! to love God supremely." 

In 1827 our conference convened at the city of Troy. 
He attended its sessions with his usual diligence, and, 
among other things, supported a resolution, that there 
should be preaching at five o'clock in the morning, and 
cheerfully rilled the first appointment himself. At this 
conference he was elected again as a delegate to the 
ensuing General Conference, which was to be held in 
Pittsburgh. Pa., May 1, 1828. He did not, however, 
live to see the conference. 

Notwithstanding his age, I believe none acquainted 
with him, who observed his healthful appearance and 
activity, thought him so near his end. After the close of 
the conference he persevered with his accustomed zeal 
and diligence in the discharge of his various duties, 
visiting his old friends, and preaching once or twice 
every Sabbath. But though his family and friends flat- 
tered themselves that he might yet be spared some years 
to the church, it appears that he had a presentiment that 
his departure was at hand, and would often speak of it. 
Whether this arose from any direct impression upon his 
mind, or from feeling the natural decays of age, or from an 
impression which he received some years since, I cannot 
tell. I, however, often heard him observe, — I think he 
made the remark to me for the first time in the year 
1813, — that being unwell a short time previously, he was 
calling on God, if it might be his will, to prolong his days; 
when he received for answer. tha\ ffteen years should be 
added to his life ; but he observed, at the same time, that 
he could not satisfy himself whether it meant fifteen years 
from that time, or so many years beyond the usual term of 
human life, "threescore years and ten." From whatever 
cause the impression proceeded, the sequel proves that 
his presentiment at this time was correct. 



1827.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETT SOX. 



277 



Or the 17th of August, 1827, after dining with his 
family with great cheerfulness, and commending them to 
God in prayer, Mr. Garrettson left home for the city of 
New- York. On his arrival in the city he preached his 
last sermon in the Duane-street church, on the words of 
St. Peter, " But grow in grace," and then administered 
the sacrament of the Lord's supper to a large number of 
communicants. It was remarked by some who were pre- 
sent on that occasion, that Mr. Garrettson preached with 
unusual warmth and energy, a divine unction attending 
the word. Thus this venerable servant of God closed his 
public labours in pressing upon his brethren the necessity 
of going forward in the " work of faith and labour of love," 
and in participating with them in " drinking of the fruit of 
the vine," in anticipation of drinking it anew with them in 
the kingdom of God. 

Soon after, he was violently seized with a disease 
called the strangury. Dr. Mott, a surgeon of established 
reputation in the city of New- York, was immediately 
called ; but though his applications afforded a temporary 
relief, the disease was so obstinately fixed as to resist the 
power of all attempts to arrest its progress. To Mrs. 
Garrettson and his daughter the mournful tidings of his 
illness were speedily conveyed, and they hastened to the 
city to comfort him, and if possible to administer relief. 
But the hand of death had arrested him. I was absent 
from the city at the time he was taken ill. On my return, 
hearing of his illness and the nature of his disorder, it 
immediately came to my mind that " this sickness was 
unto death." As soon as convenient I repaired to the 
chamber where he was confined, and had a long conversa- 
tion with him. He seemed to entertain but slender hopes 
of recovery, and observed that should the disease be so 
far removed as to permit him to live a little longer, he 
should be a prisoner all his days. Though on the first 
approach of the disease, which was of a most painful 
character, he manifested some little restlessness, as if 
nature struggled involuntarily to free itself from suffering, 
he soon bowed in humble submission to the divine will, 
and evinced an unshaken confidence in the mercy of God 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

In the conversation to which I have alluded, he unbosom- 



278 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1827. 



ed himself with great freedom, rehearsed the goodness of 
God, which had been so abundantly manifested to him 
through every period of his life ; at the same time, as was 
usual with him, expressed himself in terms of the deepest 
self-abasement. At one time he would express his admi- 
ration of the perfections of God, as manifested in creation, 
and more especially in the grand system of redemption, 
and then cry out with holy rapture, " I am filled with the 
perfect love of God." With much feeling and emphasis 
he said, " My hope is all founded in the infinite merits of 
the Lord Jesus ; in this hope I enjoy unspeakable conso- 
lation." In this way he lingered, sometimes suffering 
exquisitely, for about five weeks. He did, indeed, pass 
through the furnace, but he came forth not only unhurt, 
but abundantly refined ; and he died as he had lived, a 
witness of perfect love. Redemption was the theme of his 
contemplation through his sickness. Toward the last he 
became eag( r to depart — to go home. 

The following account of some of the last days of Mr. 
Garrettson is from the pen of Miss Mary R. Garrettson, 
in a letter to the Rev. Richard Reece of England : — 

"Dear and Rev. Sir, — Another memento of your 
kindness most forcibly reminds us of our obligations, and 
of the duty of giving you the interesting particulars of my 
blessed father's last illness and death ; a duty which has 
been long delayed, for as often as it impressed itself on 
my mind, a sense of my inadequacy to the subject, and 
the pressure of my heavy bereavement, have most forcibly 
-withheld me from the attempt. 

" For several months before his death, my dear father 
seemed to feel, in an unusual manner, the uncertainty of 
his own existence ; and an impression of the shortness of 
his stay made him rather reluctantly consent to an election 
for delegate to the General Conference. Our presiding 
elder, Mr. Scorield, has since informed us, that during his 
last visit here, papa took him to a little retreat in the 
garden, where he spent many of his hours in devotion, 
and after conversing on the affairs of the church, (which 
ever lay near his heart,) with the spirit of one ready to 
depart and be with Christ, he said he should not probably 
live to see the next conference. They then kneeled down 
and prayed together, when the power and presence of God 



1827.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



279 



were felt, said Mr. Scofield, in a manner never to be for- 
gotten by me. 

" On Friday, the 17th of iVugust, my dear father left us 
in usual health, expecting to spend the Sabbath in New- 
York, and to return the ensuing Monday or Tuesday. 
I can never forget the last day he spent at home : — 
a serenity and happiness marked his manner, and the 
purest love was reflected in all his actions. Our table 
was surrounded by friends. Some had recently arrived, 
and others were about to depart. A mingled sensation of 
pleasure at the coming, and regret at the parting guests, 
pervaded our minds ; — but pleasure was predominant, for 
fancy painted futurity with the pencil of hope, and the 
regret we felt was just sufficient to soften her vivid colour- 
ing. But my dear father ; — the heavenly expression of 
his countenance during that social meal I can never forget ; 
and I find a mournful pleasure in recalling again and again 
the events of that last day of family enjoyment. After 
dinner we kneeled down, and he prayed with us in a 
manner unusually solemn, tender, and affecting. Almost 
every eye was suffused in tears : — we parted. The next 
Sabbath was spent by him in the services of the sanctuary, 
in preaching and administering the sacrament. On Monday 
he underwent considerable fatigue, but spent the evening 
at Mr. Suckley's. He appeared to the family to be in 
unusual health and spirits, sat up beyond his customary 
hour, although it was his intention to take the six o'clock 
boat, and dine with us on the morrow. That night, how- 
ever, he was seized with his last agonizing disorder, and 
after spending several days of intense pain and extreme 
danger, he consented to abandon the thought of returning 
home, and to send for mamma and me. 

" On our arrival we were told that the crisis of his 
disorder had been favourably passed, and that though 
lingering, there was every prospect of his ultimate recovery. 
But though we suffered our judgment to be led captive by 
our wishes even to the last, no hopes of that kind were 
implanted in his mind. I believe he knew and felt that his 
time of departure was at hand. His sufferings at times 
were unutterable ; but through them all were manifested 
a resignation and fortitude which no agony could destroy. 
' I shall be purified as by fire ; I shall be made perfect 



280 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1827. 



through sufferings : — it is all right, all right; not a pain 
too much,' he would often say. Daily, and almost hourly, 
he was visited by some one or other of his brethren, who 
added much to his consolation during those seasons when 
the heart and the flesh fail, but when the religion of Christ 
is indescribably precious ; (the recollection of their kind 
attentions will never pass from my mind ;) and as he 
descended into the dark valley, his views of the grandeur 
and efficacy of the atonement became more and more 
enlarged. His disorder inclined him latterly to slumber, 
and he was often delirious ; but even then the same sub- 
ject was the theme of his discourse. Toward the last his 
strength was so much exhausted, that articulation became 
a painful effort ; but he would often, in a languid, feeble 
voice, say, £ I want to go home ; 1 want to be with Jesus, 
I want to be with Jesus.' To a friend he said, a short 
time before his death, ' I feel the perfect love of God in 
my soul.' A day or two before his departure I heard him 
say, ' And 1 shall see Mr. Wesley too.' It appeared as if 
he was ruminating on the enjoyment of that world, upon 
the verge of which he then was : — enjoyments which he 
said a Christian could well understand, as they began in 
his heart before he was disembodied. His mind seemed 
employed with subjects for the sweetest feelings of love 
and adoration. When asked how he did, he would answer, 
6 1 feel love and good will to all mankind,' — or, ' I see a 
beauty in all the works of God,' — forgetting that the 
infirmities of his body were the subject of the inquiry. 
He had resigned his wife and daughter into the hand of 
God, and so great was his desire to be with Christ, that 
parting with us was disarmed of its bitterness. His last 
sentence, spoken even in death, was, 4 Holy, holy, holy, 
Lord God Almighty! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!' After 
that, though he lingered many hours, he could not speak 
articulately. Once only, clasping his hands, and raising 
his eyes to heaven, he uttered, i Glory ! glory !' Many 
petitions were offered around his dying bed, that he might 
be permitted to give his last testimony, but they were not 
granted. For myself, I felt it was not necessary. A holy 
and laborious life of more than fifty-two years bore ample 
testimony to the triumph of his soul over its last enemy. 
" Never can I hope to give you more than a faint idea 



1827.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



281 



of the solemn yet glorious hour when the spirit achieved 
that last victory, and was ushered into the joy of the Lord. 
Encircled by his kind and affectionate friends, by his bre- 
thren and his sons in the gospel, my venerable father lay 
apparently unconscious of everything that surrounded him, 
We felt truly that he was only leaving the church militant, 
to join the church triumphant. Just as the period of his 
departure approached, one of the preachers broke forth 
into prayer ; — prayer so elevated, so holy, that it seemed 
to wrap the hearers above all sublunary consideration, and 
as he commended the dying saint into the hands of God, 
he prayed that the mantle of the departing patriarch might 
rest on his surviving brethren. His prayer seemed an- 
swered; — a divine influence pervaded the apartment, — 
two of the preachers almost sank to the floor, under a 
glorious sense of His presence who filleth immensity. 
My dear mother, with clasped hands and streaming eyes, 
exclaimed, ' Yes, Lord ! we give him up freely — freely 
give him up to thee !' 

" The spirit departed, leaving the body impressed with 
the sweetest expression of peace and tranquillity ; an 
expression which it retained until the moment when it 
was shrouded from human observation. We could stand 
beside those dear remains, and imagine that their appear- 
ance of renewed youth and happiness was a pledge of that 
glorious resurrection when death shall be swallowed up 
in victory, and the mortal put on immortality ; and we 
could look on the grave as a sure and certain deposite, 
until that day when it shall give back its . precious seed 
rejoicing." 

Thus as a ripe shock of corn was he gathered into 
the garner of his God, in the 76th year of his age, and the 
52d of his itinerant ministry. He ended his useful life 
and painful suffering at the house of his long-tried friend, 
George Suckley, Esq., in the city of New- York, about 
two o'clock in the morning of the 26th of September, 
1827. 

His remains were taken to Rhinebeck, his late resi- 
dence, accompanied by his bereaved widow and daughter, 
the writer, and several of the preachers on the New-York 
station, Mr. Suckley, and other friends. These had the 
mournful pleasure of following the lifeless body into that 



282 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1827. 



friendly enclosure which had so often been enlivened by 
his presence while living, and while entertaining his friends 
with gospel simplicity and hospitality, and placed in that 
mansion which had been dedicated to God, and where 
he had so frequently honoured his servant with his peace- 
ful presence. 

On Friday, the 28th, a numerous circle of family con- 
nections, friends, and neighbours, who seemed deeply 
affected with their loss, were addressed at the house of 
the deceased by the Rev. Thomas Burch. Afterward 
the procession, which was long and solemn, slowly moved 
to the burying ground at Rhinebeck Flats, a distance of 
about two miles, where the funeral service was performed 
by the writer, and the corpse was deposited in the earth, 
to sleep till " the resurrection of the just and unjust." A 
discourse was immediately delivered to a deeply affected 
audience, who evinced by their conduct their respect for 
departed worth. 

The next Sabbath his funeral sermon was preached on 
these words : " Mark the perfect man, and behold the 
upright, for the end of that man is peace." 

The following inscription is on his tombstone : — 

Sacred 
to 

the memory of the 
Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, 
an itinerant minister of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He commenced his itinerant ministry 
in the year 1775. 
In this work he continued until his death, 
labouring with great diligence and success 
in various parts of the 
United States 

and of 
Nova Scotia. 
He died in peace, in the city of 
New- York, 
September 26, 1827, 
m the 76th year of his age, 
and 52d of his ministry. 
" Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end 
of that man is peace," Psalm xxxvi, 37. 

In the death of Mr. Garrettson the church militant was 
deprived of one of its most aged, most devoted, and sue- 



1827.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



283 



cessful ministers. From the commencement of his minis- 
terial career to its termination, he seems to have pursued 
his object with untiring constancy and perseverance ; and 
wherever he moved, the purity of his intentions and the 
uprightness of his deportment secured for him the confi- 
dence of all who feared God ; while the holy unction 
which generally accompanied his public administration 
announced him as the commissioned messenger of God 
to a lost world. 

This, I think, has been sufficiently manifest in the 
preceding pages. It is therefore unnecessary to add much 
more, as his private exercises and public labours have 
been exhibited as they in reality were in the various rela- 
tions of life which he sustained. 

I shall, however, in accordance with the general cus- 
tom, endeavour to exhibit some general outlines of a cha- 
racter which the more I contemplate the more I admire — 
not so much on account of the brilliancy of talents which 
it enfolds, as on account of the noble, the gospel sim- 
plicity, which so conspicuously distinguished our departed 
father in the gospel of Christ. 

Let no one suppose that in fixing on this as the distin- 
guishing feature of his character, there is an intention 
to diminish his worth. Far otherwise. There is no in- 
tention either to diminish or to exalt, but to speak what I 
believe to be the truth in relation to him. When I say 
that he was eminently distinguished by simplicity, I mean 
that simplicity which is inseparably connected with a 
" conscience void of offence toward God and man," the 
effect of that divine love in the heart which is always 
productive of a single and sincere desire to do good, to 
" glorify his God below, and find his way to heaven." If 
ever there was a man on earth devoid of subtlety, guile, 
or suspicion, Freeborn Garrettson was that man. 
While his judgment was well matured by study, by habits 
of reflection, and a close attention to passing events, his 
heart was filled with that love which caused this promi- 
nent trait of his character to shine forth in all its loveli- 
ness, and will no doubt be recognised by all who knew 
him as his distinguishing peculiarity. No corroding sus- 
picions disturbed the sweet repose which reigned in his 
breast. Until compelled, by the irresistible language of 



284 



LIFE OF REV. F. GAR RETTSOX. 



[1827. 



facts, to denounce any one as insincere who professed to 
love the Lord Jesus, he embraced all such as " brethren 
beloved." Being honest and sincere himself, he could 
not indulge in a suspicious temper toward others. And 
if this heavenly disposition sometimes exposed him to the 
impositions of the cunning and the crafty, it happily 
relieved him from the vexations of imaginary evils, and 
the pain of " fearing where no fear was." And if we 
must err, as seems unavoidable in this fallible and change- 
able state, how much better is it to suffer the hand of 
charity to lead us astray, than to be tormented day and 
night by the evil forebodings of a restless disposition ! 
From the demon of jealousy, and the evil genius of suspi- 
cion, it behoves us all to pray, ;> Good Lord, deliver us." 

This, therefore, is so far from being a defect, that I 
humbly conceive that it ought to be reckoned among the 
cardinal virtues of a Christian. And this marked all his 
actions, pervaded his whole soul, and contributed to that 
pure enjoyment in which he so largely participated in the 
society of his friends. 

It was no doubt this simple intention to please his God 
in all things which gave him such distinguished success 
in the ministry of the word. It may be fairly questioned 
whether any one minister in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, or indeed in any other church, during the same 
period, has been instrumental in the awakening and con- 
version of more sinners than Mr. Garrettson. This I think 
has been abundantly evinced in the preceding memoir. 

It was this si nple desire to do good which inspired him 
with such a flaming ardour and such intrepid courage in 
the cause of his divine Master. Neither the heat of the 
south, the cold of the north, nor the variable atmosphere 
of the more temperate clime ; neither the dust and smoke 
of the city, the hill and dale of the country, nor the forests 
of the wilderness ; neither riches nor poverty, ease nor 
luxury ; neither frowns nor smiles, could dampen the 
ardour of his zeal, or quench the thirst he had for the 
salvation of immortal souls. Wherever he came, in what- 
ever company, whether of the rich or the poor, in whatever 
climate, his theme was the same; it was " Jesus and him 
crucified ;" declaring to all that he was not " ashamed of 
the gospel of Christ." This was the soul and main spring 



1827.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSOX. 



285 



of all his actions ; that which set him in motion, and 
which kept him moving in the circle of obedience to what 
he considered, and what the effect of his labours proved to 
be, a divine call. 

What else but a simple desire to do good to all men as 
he had opportunity, could have induced him to forsake all 
in early life, to persevere through ;i good and evil report," 
for upward of fifty years, without fee or reward I For it 
may be observed here, that Mr. Garrettson, during the 
whole course of his ministry, never received any pecuniary 
recompense, or if at some times, through the solicitation 
of his friends, he received any, it was given either to ne- 
cessitous individuals, or deposited with the funds of the 
conference. In this manner the patrimony he inherited 
from his ancestors was all expended, and it has often been 
observed, that for this sacrifice, so nobly and freely offered 
upon the altar of benevolence, he was rewarded " a hun- 
dredfold, even in this life." And after he came into the 
possession of a larger estate by his happy marriage, I have 
frequently heard him say, that the entire income of his 
property, after meeting his annual expenses, was devoted 
to charitable purposes. In pursuing this course, and making 
these sacrifices, what else, I say, could have moved him 
forward so steadily, and for so long a time, but a single 
desire to promote the glory of God in the salvation of souls ? 

It was the same principle which inspired him with that 
spirit of liberality toward other denominations of Chris- 
tians by which he was characterized. Though .Mr. Gar- 
rettson was sincerely and conscientiously attached to the 
church to wmich he belonged, firmly believed and faithfully 
defended its peculiarities, yet toward all others which 
he believed held fast the cardinal and distinguishing doc- 
trines of the gospel he exercised a spirit of charity, loving 
the good of every name, and rejoicing in every thing evan- 
gelical he could discover among them. Hence his resi- 
dence was the resort of Christians and of Christian 
ministers of different denominations. While he could 
hold no fellowship with those who openly denied the 
proper deity of Jesus Christ, and consequently set aside 
his atonement for the sins of the world, most cordially he 
gave the right hand of fellowship to all who " loved the 
Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity," and who believed and 



286 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1827. 



defended the grand cardinal truths of Christianity. How- 
ever much they might differ from him in points of minor 
importance, if they held fast these great doctrines of God 
our Saviour, he embraced them as his brethren in the 
Lord. Here was a full display of that " love which 
thinketh no evil." As a proof of the truth of these 
remarks, the following anecdote is related of Mr. Gar- 
rettson, at the time he visited Providence, in Rhode 
Island : — 

A member of Mr. Snow's church — Mr. Snow was 
either a Congregational or a Presbyterian minister — ex- 
pressed some anxiety to know whether Mr. Garrettson 
meant to establish a Methodist church in Providence. 
Mr. Garrettson replied to this effect : — " Be assured, sir, 
that if I do, I shall not admit you." " Why would you 
not receive me," said the gentleman; "have you heard 
any thing to my disparagement ?" " No, sir," said Mr. 
Garrettson ; " I have heard nothing which would not 
entitle you to an honourable standing in any church ; but 
you are under a spiritual minister. I would rather add 
to, than take from, Mr. Snow's church ; and were I to 
raise a church in this place, they should be gathered from 
among those who were not privileged with such a minis- 
try, or those who would not avail themselves of the pri- 
vilege." 

It was this same principle which attached him so affec- 
tionately to his brethren in the ministry, as well as to all 
the members of the church. Though, as before said, he 
loved and honoured all ministers of Christ, of whatever 
name, he manifested a very peculiar attachment to the 
ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He never 
seemed so happy as when in their society. To those of 
them with whom he was intimate he would unbosom him- 
self without reserve. His house was the free resort of all 
who could visit him, and they were entertained with all 
the hospitality and simplicity of primitive times. To his 
house, his table, and his heart, they always found a cordial 
welcome. Many happy hours of social intercourse, and 
of Christian conversation, has the writer enjoyed under 
that peaceful roof, the mention of which brings to mind 
so many endearing recollections. 

This leads me to mention the manner in which this 



1827.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



287 



heavenly disposition displayed itself in domestic life. Here 
the beauty and excellence of religion shone in all its 
divine lustre and heavenly simplicity, I remember a few- 
years since a conversation with a pious Presbyterian lady 
of the city of New-York, who was in habits of intimacy 
with Mrs. Garrettson, and who had recently returned 
from a visit to the family at Rhinebeck, She was ex- 
pressing her great satisfaction at the admirable order 
which prevailed there ; "I do not mean," said she, " the 
order of the farm or of the house, though this is indeed 
worthy of all praise ; but I mean the religious order which 
prevails throughout every department ; the orderly arrange- 
ment for family devotions, and the orderly manner in which 
the servants, and all attached to the household, attend to 
their religious as welJ as to their other duties." This was 
saying nothing more than what was strictly true. God indeed 
seemed abundantly to bless him in this respect. All about 
the farm, all his domestics, were moral, most of them reli- 
gious, and they were generally members of the Methodist 
Church. The example continually set before them taught 
them the utility, as well as the indispensable duty of an 
orderly and regular attendance to all the duties of the sanc- 
tuary, as also to their private and family devotions. In this 
circle, therefore, God reigned. Here he "commanded his 
blessing, even life for evermore." Every thing here was 
" sanctified by the word of God and prayer." Reading a 
portion of the sacred Scriptures, singing some verses of a 
hymn, and prayer, formed the family devotions of the even- 
ing and morning, and then every one went orderly to his 
business. If company remained, they might either retire to 
a room, or enjoy the benefits of society in the house, or, 
particularly in the summer season, in the pleasant walks in 
the garden, or under the shade of a delightful bower, or the 
foliage of the forest trees with which the mansion was sur- 
rounded. Wherever they w^ent on this enclosure, peace 
and contentment smiled around, and produced a charm 
unknown to thoughtless and dissipated minds. 

I am here reminded of a saying of the late lamented 
Bishop George. Speaking of Mr. Garrettson, he remarked 
how agreeably disappointed he was in visiting him at his 
own house. Having only seen Mr. Garrettson occasion- 
ally at the General Conference, and sometimes being under 



288 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



[1827. 



the necessity of differing from him on some points of 
ecclesiastical polity, the bishop had formed an idea that 
Mr. Garrettson was rather austere in his manners, and 
somewhat bigoted in his views ; " but," said the bishop, 
" when I had the happiness of visiting him under his own 
roof, and of observing the pious order of his household, the 
hospitality of his disposition, the kindness and attention 
with which he treated his friends and visiters, all my pre- 
judices were banished ; and I now think tha the worth of 
brother Garrettson has not been duly estimated." 

What contributed much to his own comfort was the pla- 
cability of his disposition, another inseparable companion 
of that divine simplicity which predominated in his heart. 
That he had enemies was not his fault. No one should 
have been his enemy. Neither had such any cause to fear 
him, because he would not have hurt them even if he could. 
While he fulfilled the divine command in loving his friends, 
he also inherited the blessing of those who bless and curse 
not, and who pray for those who despitefully use them. On 
how many heads he has thus heaped " coals of fire," and 
by the influence of this love melted them into tenderness, 
and made them his friends, "that day" alone can declare; 
but I have heard it remarked, that if you wanted to obtain 
a special favour from Mr. Garrettson, you must do him 
some injury, for he was sure to repay it by an act of kind- 
ness. Not that he was insensible to injuries and insults. 
He felt them, and felt them keenly ; but he well understood 
the difference between feeling an insult, and manifesting a 
suitable indignation at the conduct of the malevolent, and 
suffering the passion of revenge to linger in his bosom. 
While he wept over the miseries of the wicked, and com- 
miserated the condition of those who might be actuated by 
private malice, or personal hostility, he bore them before 
the throne of grace in prayer, evincing the tenderest love to 
their persons, and the sincerest desire for the salvation of 
their souls. He thus exemplified the spirit which actuated 
his divine Master when he prayed, " Father, forgive them, 
for they know not what they do." I have known him take 
special pains to conciliate the good will of persons whom 
he feared he had wounded merely because he conscien- 
tiously differed from them in opinion, lest they might har- 
bour the thought that he entertained unkind feelings toward 



1827.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



289 



them. He could, indeed, be reconciled to any thing but 
sin, and those dangerous errors which struck at the funda- 
mental doctrines of Christ. To these enemies of God and 
man he showed no mercy. 

To the same ardent thirst for the salvation of lost men 
may be attributed his zealous co-operation in all our bene- 
volent institutions. He lived to see that divine principle 
which thrust him out into his Lord's vineyard in the midst 
of obloquy and reproach, when the true disciples of Jesus 
were " as a speckled bird, and the birds around about" were 
against them, enlarged into an expansive benevolence ; 
and so mightily had the word of God increased, and the 
number of disciples multiplied, that institutions of charity 
were springing up in every direction, to bless the world 
with an increase of light and knowledge. Mr. Garrettson 
watched the rise and progress of these institutions with 
strong and increasing interest. He aided their operations 
by contributing to their funds. 

To the American Bible Society he became a life mem- 
ber. He assisted as one of the founders of the Missionary 
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, became first 
an annual contributor, afterward a life member, aad 
often stimulated others to become its supporters. To the 
Tract and Sunday School Societies he was a warm friend 
and faithful patron. And if at any time he did not answer 
the expectations of some in the frequency and in the 
amount of his donations, it was because they knew not 
the multitude of calls which were made upon his bounty, 
nor the urgency with which they were pressed upon his 
attention. It being generally believed that he was rich in 
this world's goods, and well known that he was a friend to 
suffering humanity, all were ready to turn their attention 
to him for aid ; and hence had he given according to 
each one's expectation, he would very soon have been a 
pauper hinself, and thus been deprived of the means of 
" scattering abroad" the charities of a liberal mind. That 
he endeavoured conscientiously to " use his Lord's money," 
and to make to himself " friends of the mammon of un- 
righteousness," none will dispute who were acquainted 
with his manner of life. 

If we view Mr. Garrettson as a minister of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, we shall behold the same disposition dis- 

13 



290 LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1827, 

playing itself on all occasions. Indeed, so habitual was 
the impression on the minds of all with whom he was 
acquainted, of his deep sincerity, of the simple desire of 
his heart to ascertain and promulgate the truth as it is in 
Jesus, that, however some might differ from him in his 
views, they could hardly resist the conviction which the 
force of this principle made on their hearts. And if it be 
the chief business of a minister of the sanctuary to carry 
a conviction to the hearts of sinners of the truths of the 
gospel, and to awaken within them a serious concern 
respecting the solemn realities of eternity ; if the object of 
his mission be to point those " that mourn in Zion" to the 
" Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world ;" 
if he should not cease his exhortations until he lead the 
penitent sinner to the blood of atonement, " which cleans- 
eth from all unrighteousness," and until he so believe as to 
receive the witness in himself that he is born of God ; if the 
end of his commission is to build up believers " in their 
most holy faith," and never let them rest until they are 
filled with the perfect love of God ; if to accomplish these 
objects be the principal aim of the minister, then we may 
pronounce the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson to have been 
a true minister of Jesus Christ. If it be the duty of a 
minister commissioned of God to " go into all the world, 
and preach the gospel to every creature," as far as his 
strength and opportunities will permit ; and if in doing this 
he is to give evidence of his call to the work by preaching 
with all that zeal and pathos which distinguish men influ- 
enced by the Spirit of God, and having the worth of souls 
pressing upon their hearts ; then did the subject of this 
memoir discharge his duty, and give the most substantial 
evidence of his divine call to this holy and important work. 
His labour and diligence were great, and his success in 
winning souls to Christ was in proportion. Wherever he 
went he left the impressions of truth behind him. Sinners 
were made to feel their awful responsibility to God, while 
his people felt the " holy anointing," and often " shouted 
aloud for joy." 

He held on his way. Whatever impediments were 
thrown in his path, they did not stop his progress, Having 
fixed his " single eye" on the " prize of his high calling" 
at the outset, he pursued it to the end of life. We have 



1827.] LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 291 

seen him renouncing ease, affluence, all those enjoyments 
which domestic felicity might afford, for the sake of win- 
ning souls to Chris't. The church, — the welfare of the 
church, — occupied his private meditations and engaged 
his public labours. And he lived to see that church to 
which he belonged, and whose interests were indentified 
with his own, increase from 3,148, the number in member- 
ship when he commenced his youthful and successful career 
in 1775, to 381,997, the number returned on the Minutes 
in 1827, the year in which he died ; and the number of 
travelling preachers increase from 1 9 to 1 ,576. Well might 
he say, as he did in his Semi-centennial Sermon, " We 
shall hear of spiritual fathers and of their spiritual children 
blessing and praising God that they were ever sent out to 
traverse the mountains and valleys to call sinners to repent- 
ance." How many will rise up in that day and call him 
blessed, He only who numbers the hairs of our heads can 
tell. 

But that which gave such efficiency to his labour in the 
gospel was the " unction of the Holy One," which rested 
*ipon him. No man, I believe, was more deeply sensible 
of the indispensableness of the Holy Spirit to enable the 
minister of Christ to succeed in his work than Mr. Gar- 
rettson. Deriving all his doctrine and precepts from the 
pure fountain of divine truth, the Holy Scriptures, he made 
these his daily study ; and being deeply conscious that he 
must have the enlightening and sanctifying influences of the 
Holy Spirit, to enable him rightly to understand and apply 
these truths, he was assiduous in his addresses to the throne 
of grace, firmly believing that God would " give the Holy 
Spirit to them that ask him." The success, therefore, 
which accompanied his public labours, is not attributable 
to the force of human persuasion, or to the " words of man's 
wisdom," but to the " demonstration of the Spirit," which 
accompanied his word. Thus armed with the " sword of 
the Spirit," his word was " mighty, through God, to the 
pulling down of strong holds." 

His action in the pulpit was not generally graceful, nor 
could he be pronounced eloquent, according to the usual 
definition of that word. On some occasions, however, 
he seemed inspired with an eloquence far surpassing all 
human attainments, when his words were accompanied 



292 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. [1827. 



with a gesticulation appropriate and striking, and which 
bespoke a soul filled " with glory and with God." On 
these occasions the congregations would be overwhelmed 
with a sense of the divine presence, while tears and groans, 
prayer and praise, would sufficiently attest the power with 
which he spoke. 

There was great variety in his preaching, both as to the 
manner and matter., which made his discourses always 
both entertaining and useful; and I believe he seldom 
wearied an audience with a dry detail of uninteresting 
matter, or with speculations which did not profit the hearer. 
His was the preaching of a man aiming to be useful, 
aspiring to be good instead of gramt^ penetrating by the 
arrows of truth into the sinners heart, and pouring the 
balm of consolation into the ££ wounded spirit." It was 
deep, experimented*, and practical. 

Such was the character of the Rev. Freeborn Gar- 
Tettson. And if his name be not handed down to posterity 
as one of the greatest ministers with which the Methodist 
Episcopal Church has been favoured, he will unquestion- 
ably be ranked among the best, the most devoted, and the 
most successful. 

Perhaps it might be expected that I should mention his 
imperfections and faults. That he was in every respect 
perfect who will contend ? But whatever defects he may 
have had, they were such as are inseparable from man, 
defects of the head and not of the heart ; natural, not 
moral. Were I to attempt to describe a perfect character, 
one that was free from the infirmities of human nature, I 
should not only render myself ridiculous, but prove myself 
destitute of that very virtue which was so estimable, and 
which shone so conspicuously in Mr. Garrettson,— I mean 
" godly simplicity and sincerity." 

" To err is human." And that Mr. Garrettson was 
liable to err from the natural imperfection of his judgment, 
and therefore might have often been under mistakes in his 
estimation of men and things, needs neither an apology to 
admit, nor any false colouring to hide. This is common 
to men,— to the best of men. When, therefore, it is said 
that such a man had his infirmities, that he exhibited 
foibles, made mistakes, and erred in his judgment, we do 
but describe what is common to man, and say nothing to 



1827.] 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



293 



distinguish one human being from another. These sad 
marks of our original apostacy cleave alike to all, the wise 
and the unwise, the learned and the ignorant. But when 
we say of a man that, in the midst of these natural infirmi- 
ties, with a thousand temptations from without to entice 
him from the path of obedience to his God, he held on 
his way, — that he triumphed over sin and Satan, — that 
he uniformly maintained an unspotted character,— that he 
lived and died in the fear and favour of God, — we describe 
a man that rose far above the efforts of human nature,- — 
we behold a man in whom " dwelt the Spirit of the Holy 
One," and in whom is " magnified the grace of God." 
It is of such a one that I now speak. Human nature, 
however improved by education and reflection, is not 
competent to gain a victory over evil propensities, to sub- 
due sinful habits and passions ; but when renewed by the 
grace of God in Christ Jesus, it shines,— it triumphs,— 
and vanquishes every enemy to its peace and happiness. 

For such a perfection, therefore, as exempts men from 
these inseparable infirmities of our nature, we plead not. 
But this I think I may affirm without any fear of contra- 
diction, that among all the ministers of Jesus Christ during 
the period in which he lived, none maintained a more 
unblemished reputation, was more deeply and sincerely 
devoted to God, more successful in extending the Re- 
deemer's kingdom among men, or more perfectly answered 
the end for which the Christian ministry was instituted. 
From the time of his conversion to God, iin the 23d year 
of his age, until his death, in the 76th year of his age, 
under the protection of " the everlasting arms," the purity 
of his life, and the uprightness of his deportment, were 
never questioned, but acknowledged by all with whom he 
had intercourse ; and for upward of fifty-one years he 
appeared before the public as an ambassador of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, during which time the words of his lips 
gained the more credence from the unimpaired confidence 
which every one had in the integrity of his heart and the 
righteousness of his life. And when he sank into the 
grave, he was the oldest travelling minister of that church, 
whose general economy he loved, whose doctrines he 
believed and preached, whose God and Saviour he adored 
and served in " the fellowship of the gospel," and whose 



294 



LIFE OF REV. F. GARRETTSON. 



CI 827. 



ramparts he left, after having defended them for more than 
fifty years, to take his seat in " that house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker 
is God." 

Finally, in contemplating his character, we may take the 
text on which he so often delighted to preach, and which 
was selected as the foundation of his funeral discourse, 
and say, " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, 
for the end of that man is peace." 



THE END. 



i. 



